Total availability of cotton in the current season is estimated to be 357.44 lakh bales

25-Oct-2024 08:10 PM

Mumbai. A leading trade organization - Cotton Association of India (CAI) has estimated the total availability of cotton in the domestic division to be 357.44 lakh bales (each bale of 170 kg) during the current marketing season (October-September) of 2024-25,

which includes previous outstanding stock of 30.19 lakh bales, production of 302.25 lakh bales and potential import of 25 lakh bales. This is an initial estimate, so there may be some revision-change in it in the future.

According to the association, during the marketing season of 2023-24, the country had increased to 28.50 lakh bales in the season of 325.24, which is likely to decrease by 37 percent to 18 lakh bales in the season of 2024-25.

In comparison to the previous season, the production of cotton during the current marketing season is estimated to decrease by 11.05 lakh bales in the central region of the country, 9.62 lakh bales in the northern division and 1.85 lakh bales in the southern states, while in Orissa too, there may be a decline of 52 thousand bales.

The production area of ​​cotton has decreased by 14 lakh hectares to 112.90 lakh hectares this time. Along with Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan, a decline in the area of ​​cotton was also recorded in the country's three top producing states - Gujarat, Maharashtra and Telangana.

Cotton was also cultivated in less area in Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh, while in Karnataka and Orissa the area remained almost the same as last year.

The plucking and preparation of the new crop of cotton has started in the major producing states, while a strong arrival of cotton is expected to start in various markets from next month.