Cotton body sees output topping 400 lakh bales

The Cotton Association of India expects the output in season 2014-15 starting next month to top 400 lakh bales (170 kg each) at 403 lakh bales, a new record. This will be possible with the recent revival of monsoon easing fears of lower yield.

This apart, the acreage under cotton cultivation is 123.71 lakh hectares now and is likely to touch 127 lakh hectares against 117 lakh hectares recorded last year, said the Association quoting the Directorate of Cotton Development data.

The free and stable cotton policy maintained by the Government during the last few years has encouraged the market forces to play a role to the advantage of the entire cotton value chain, said the Association. Cotton farmers also had an opportunity to realise remunerative prices for their produce. This has encouraged the farmers to bring in the largest ever acreage under cotton during the 2014-15 crop year, it said.

In its August estimates, the Association has estimated total cotton supply at 468.50 lakh bales and domestic consumption of 300 lakh bales, leaving a surplus of 168.50 lakh bales for exports.

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