COMMODITY
Cotton exports to increase by 20% in 2020-21 season: CAI
Apr-16-2021

The Cotton Association of India (CAI) has estimated cotton exports to increase by 20 per cent to 60 lakh bales in the 2020-21 season that begins in October, mainly due to higher international prices. In 2019-20 season, cotton exports stood at 50 lakh bales. In the international market, cotton prices are generally in US dollars. The export shipments up to March 31, 2021 are pegged at 43 lakh bales.

Besides, CAI has slightly increased its cotton crop estimate for the 2020-21 season to 360 lakh bales due to higher production in the north zone. The quantum is higher than the association's projection in February. Cotton production for 2020-21 is estimated to be 360 lakh bales due to increase in output by 1,50,000 bales in north zone -- that is 50,000 bales each in Haryana, Upper Rajasthan and Lower Rajasthan.

The total cotton production for the 2019-20 season stood at 360 lakh bales. The total cotton supply for October 2020 to March 2021 period is estimated at 459.26 lakh bales. This consists of arrivals of 326.76 lakh bales, imports of 7.50 lakh bales and the opening stock estimated at the beginning of the season. Further, CAI has projected cotton consumption at 165 lakh bales for 2020-21 season. Stock at the end of March is estimated at 251.26 lakh bales. This includes 95 lakh bales with textile mills and the remaining 156.26 lakh bales with the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI), Maharashtra Federation and others.

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