The Cotton Association of India (CAI) has increased crop estimates for 2019-20 season to 33.55 million bales of 170 kg each compared to its previous estimate of 33.00 million bales made during the last month. Crop estimate finalized by the CAI for 2018-19 was 31.20million bales of 170 kg each. Total estimated cotton supply till end of the cotton season 2018-19 is 38.25 million bales of 170 kg each which consists of the opening stock of 3.2 million bales, crop for the season estimated at 33.55 million bales and imports estimated by CAI at 1.50 million bales. Imports are estimated to be lower by 1.7 million bales compared to the previous year’s estimate of 3.2 million bales.

According to the association, domestic consumption for the entire crop year has been estimated at 28.0 million bales, i.e. at the same level as estimated in the last month. The consumption for the crop year 2019-20 was earlier estimated by the CAI at 33.1 million bales but the same was later reduced by 5.1 million bales due to the lower consumption of cotton on account of disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic in the country.

The CAI has retained its export estimate for the season at the same level as estimated in the previous month i.e. at 4.7 million bales against 4.2 million bales estimated earlier.

The increase of 0.50 million bales in the export estimate than estimated in the previous year was made looking to the favorable conditions existing for exports of cotton from India. The carryover stock estimated at the end of the season is 5.55 million bales.

The estimate of cotton imports into India has been maintained at the same level as estimated in the previous month i.e. at 1.5 million bales. This import estimate is lower by 1.7 million bales compared to that estimated for the last year. The Indian cotton arrivals during the months of October 2019 to June 2020 are estimated at 32.70 million bales of 170 kg each. The closing stock as on September 30, 2020 is estimated at 5.55 million bales of 170 kg each.