Perhaps for the first time Maharashtra may overtake Gujarat in terms of cotton production. Usually, Maharashtra produces around 60 to 70 lakh bales and around 20 lakh bales are sold to Gujarat. But this time, there could be a bumper production because of good rains.

Maharashtra’s cotton crop is expected to improve from 78 lakh bales in 2015-16 to 87 lakh bales in the current crop year. Gujarat may produce some 80 to 85 lakh bales. Incessant rains brought relief to the water-stressed Marathwada region, which had been suffering from drought for the past four years.

Total cotton supply for the crop season 2016-17 is estimated at 398 lakh bales, while domestic consumption is estimated at 309 lakh bales, thus leaving an available surplus of 89 lakh bales. Meanwhile cotton samples are being displayed to potential buyers in Bangladesh, Pakistan and Vietnam. A team visited Chinese buyers, traders, ginners, warehouses and provided samples of their cotton, which was tested by Chinese experts. This was followed by a visit by Chinese traders and ginners to farms.

China has been the biggest importer of cotton from India until now. The cotton season begins from October 1. However, because of the rains, there could be a delay of 15 to 20 days for the new arrivals to take place.