Cotton output pegged at 330 lakh bales on ball worms factor

Cotton production is estimated to be lower marginally to 330 lakh bales (of 170 kg each) during the current season that began in October 2012, mainly due to non-Bt crops being affected by cotton ball worms, the state-run Cotton Advisory Board (CAB) today said.

"The cotton production is estimated to by slightly lower at 330 lakh bales from our earlier estimates of 334 lakh bales. This is mainly because of reports by Central Institute for Cotton Research (CICR) that non Bt crops in almost all cotton producing states are affected by ball worms," Textile Commissioner A B Joshi told reporters here.

 

He said according to CICR, ball worms eggs were found for the first time even in some Bt crops as well.

However, it is not that significant and not an alarming situation at all, he added.

Cotton ballworm is a major pest in countries where the crop is irrigated.

The cotton cultivation area has increased to 117.73 lakh hectares from the earlier 116.14, he said.

"The area in Punjab has declined to 5.06 lakh hectares from 5.16 lakh hectares last year and in Karnataka it has come down to 4.15 lakh hectares from 5.16 lakh hectares. In rest all cotton producing states the area has increased," he said.

Talking about prices, Joshi said, as the global cotton stocks has gone up by 23 lakh tonne to 164.8 lakh tonne, the prices are likely to remain less volatile.

He said the exports are expected to decline to around 80 lakh bales from 128 lakh bales last year.

Till date, 35 lakh bales has been registered with Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), already 25 lakh bales have been shipped, he said.

The country mainly exports to China and Bangladesh, which has reduced its cotton imports from India due to slowdown in their textile industry, he said.

Similarly, the cotton imports, which were negligible till now are likely to increase to 20 lakh bales as the industry need for brand cotton, strength cotton among others, has gone up, he said.

As on January 22, cotton arrivals were 139.34 lakh bales compared to 148.4 lakh bales during same period last year.

Talking about exports of cotton yarn, Joshi said, there is a good increase this year. "Cotton yarn exports is likely to be around 9,000-10,000 lakh kg compared to 7,000 lakh kg last year," he added.