Cotton output may be nearly 12% higher in 2013-14

Increase in output is likely to be on account of good monsoon, says Minister of Textiles Kavuru Sambasiva Rao

India's cotton output is projected to be 11.7% higher at around 380 lakh bales (170 kg each) in the 2013-14 cotton season on account of good monsoon and increase in acreage.

Cotton season is between October to September.

In the current season, the natural fibre production was around 340 lakh bales.

"In the next season, the cotton production is expected to be not less than 380 lakh bales," Minister of Textiles Kavuru Sambasiva Rao told PTI.

The increase in output is likely to be on account of good monsoon mainly in cotton growing states and increase in acreage, he added.

Gujarat, which is the highest yielding state in India, has seen an increase of more than 10% in acreage on the back of a good monsoon.

Asked about the natural fibre exports in the upcoming year, Rao said, "The Cotton Advisory Board (CAB) would take a decision on cotton exports soon."

In this season, the country exported about 100 lakh bales of the natural fibre.

The CAB, which is under the Textiles Ministry, has not come out with its latest review on cotton for the current year as well as for the next year.

The Board, which usually meets every quarter to estimate cotton output, consumption, exports and imports, has not come with any review since April this year.

However, as per Cotton Association of India projections, the natural fibre production is likely to be higher at around 372 lakh bales in the 2013-14 season.

The domestic consumption and exports are likely to remain flat at about 260 lakh bales and 100 lakh bales, respectively, in the upcoming year.

The price of a cotton candy (356 kg) is hovering over Rs 44,000 at present.