Cotton output estimated at 384.50 lakh bales in 2014-15: CAI

Cotton output is estimated at 384.50 lakh bales for the 2014-15 season ending September 2015 against 407.25 lakh bales in last season, an industry body said today.
The Cotton Association of India (CAI) in its latest April estimate has lowered the output target due to drastic decline in arrivals.
Close to 90 per cent of the total crop has already arrived into the market, however, cotton arrivals have fallen drastically during April, CAI said.
Arrivals during April were 27.05 lakh bales (of 170 kg each) compared to 40 lakh bales that had arrived during the same month last year. In March, 42.20 lakh bales had arrived into the market, CAI said.

The main reason for reduction in the crop estimate is untimely rain in the central zone that has affected the output, the association said.
Total crop in the central region in April is estimated at 196.60 lakh bales compared to 226.10 lakh bales last year. The central zone includes Gujarat, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh.
The projected balance sheet drawn by the CAI for 2014-15 estimates total cotton supply at 455.40 lakh bales while domestic consumption is estimated at 310 lakh bales, thus leaving an available surplus of 145.40 lakh bales.