India’s cotton production for the current season (October 2020-September 2021) has been projected a tad lower compared with last year by trade body Cotton Association of India (CAI), but the natural fiber’s consumption and exports could be higher.

According to CAI initial estimates, cotton production this season is estimated to be 356 lakh bales (of 170 kg each) against 360 lakh bales last season.

The production is lower for two reasons. One, the area under cotton this year was two percent lower at 129.50 lakh hectares against 133.73 lakh hectares last year. This was mainly since farmers shifted to crops such as soybean or groundnut as cotton prices ruled lower for the most part of last season.

Second, rains in growing parts such as Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra have affected the crop.

Reports from Telangana say that some growers have plucked out cotton from their farms due to damaged caused by heavy rains and planted alternative crops.

The rains can affect the plucking of bolls in cotton plants later. There are two-three pluckings in the cotton plant, starting from October with the third plucking taking place around January.

Trade sources said off late, the cotton crop has been affected by diseases in some parts of the country and details are awaited.