Releasing its first estimate of the cotton crop for the new season 2020-21 which began on October 1, the Cotton Association of India (CAI) has estimated the crop at 356 lakh bales of 170 kg each, equivalent to 378.25 lakh running bales of 160 kg each. The estimate for the ongoing season is less by 4 lakh bales than previous year’s crop of 360 lakh bales.
“Reduction in cotton crop for the season is on account of damage reported to the crop in some pockets due to the excess rains and pink bollworm infestation. This is a preliminary estimate and the Crop Committee of the CAI will re-assess the crop as the season progresses,” the CAI said in a press release.
Yearly Balance Sheet projected by t he CAI Crop Committee estimated total cotton supply till end of the 2020-21 season at 477.50 lakh bales, which consists of the opening stock of 107.50 lakh bales at the beginning of the season, crop for the season estimated at 356 lakh bales and imports for the season estimated at 14 lakh bales.
Domestic consumption estimated by the CAI is 330 lakh bales, while export of cotton estimated for the season is 60 lakh bales. The carry over stock estimated at the end on the season on September 30, 2021 is 87.50 lakh bales.
