Cotton output estimated at 391 lakh bales in 2014-15: CAI

The Cotton Association of India (CAI) today said the March estimate of the crop stood at 391 lakh bales for the 2014-15 season (beginning from October 1, 2014), lower than last year, due to untimely rain in the central region.
The total cotton crop stood at 407.25 lakh bales (of 170 kg each) during 2013-14, according to CAI data.
The main reason for reduction in the crop estimate by five lakh bales compared with the estimates released last month is untimely rain in the Central Zone, CAI said.
Total crop in the central region in March is estimated at 214.25 lakh bales compared to 235.75 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 460.90 lakh bales while domestic consumption is estimated at 310.00 lakh bales, thus leaving an available surplus of 150.90 lakh bales.
Earlier, in February, CAI had estimated the crop output at 396 lakh bales for 2014-15.
Further, CAI said that the exports are lagging far behind this year compared to last year and there is only a limited demand for Indian cotton in the market at this moment.