Cotton output estimated at 380 lakh bales in 2015-16: CAI

The Cotton Association of India (CAI) today placed its estimate for season 2015-16, beginning October, at 380 lakh bales.
The total output is mainly expected to be dominated by the Central zone, including states of Gujarat, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, CAI said in a release issued here.
The production in the central zone is estimated to be around 203 lakh bales.
Acreage under cotton during the ensuing 2015-16 cotton season is going to be less than that of the current crop year, it said.
Yield, however, is likely to be higher during the 2015-16 crop season due to good and timely rainfall in the cotton growing areas.

Therefore, CAI said, the crop for the 2015-16 cotton season is expected to be similar to the cotton crop for the 2014-15 crop year.

The total cotton supply for the season 2015-16, is estimated at 470.65 lakh bales while the domestic consumption is estimated at 325 lakh bales, thus leaving an available surplus of 145.65 lakh bales.
CAI also released the July estimate for ongoing cotton season 2014-15, placing it at 382.75 bales (of 170 kg each).
The total cotton crop stood at 407.25 lakh bales during 2013-14, according to CAI data.