Cotton output estimated at 388.25 lakh bales for 2013-14: CAI

The cotton crop for the season 2013-14, beginning October 1, 2013, is estimated at 388.25 lakh bales (170 kg each), the Cotton Association of India (CAI) said today.
"We have placed the cotton crop for the season 2013-14 beginning on October 1, 2013, at 388.25 lakh bales of 170 kg each," CAI said in its May estimate of the cotton crop.
The crop in Gujarat is estimated at 120.80 lakh bales in 2013-14 compared to 83.30 lakh bales in the previous season.
Similarly, in Maharashtra the total output is estimated at 79.25 lakh bales in 2013-14 season, compared to 72.50 lakh bales in 2012-13, according to CAI data.

The total cotton supply is estimated at 447.50 lakh bales while the domestic consumption is estimated at 295 lakh bales, thus, leaving an available surplus of 152.50 lakh bales.
The arrivals as on May 31, 2014, are placed at 370.25 lakh bales.

The country has witnessed a record crop during 2013-14 cotton season.
Besides, this cotton season there has been a remarkable improvement in yield in regions with smaller acreage like lower Rajasthan and Karnataka, CAI said.
These regions are fast catching up with the highest yielding regions like Gujarat in terms of yield.
This augurs well for the country to achieve the world average productivity bench mark in near future, it added.