The Cotton Association of India (CAI) has estimated exports for the season 2018-19 at 47 lakh bales which are lower by 22 lakh bales compared to the export of 69 lakh bales estimated last year. The CAI has estimated cotton crop for 2018-19 at 321 lakh bales of 170 kg each, which is lower by 7 lakh bales than its previous estimate of 328 lakh bales made during last month. The CAI reduced crop estimate for Gujarat by 1 lakh bales, Maharashtra by 80,000 bales, Telangana by 4 lakh bales, Andhra Pradesh by 1 lakh bales and Karnataka by 75,000 bales whereas there is marginal increase of 50,000 bales in Tamil Nadu and 5,000 bales in the State of Orissa.

The main reason for reduction in cotton crop during this year is the scarcity of water in some states and the fact that farmers uprooted their cotton plants in about 70-80 per cent area without waiting for 3rd and 4th pickings.