India’s cotton output is estimated to be 341 lakh bales for the 2015-16 season. The total output for the 2014-15 crop year stood at 382.75 lakh bales. The lower crop estimate is mainly due to crop damage in the northern region due to whitefly attack. The total crop estimated in the northern zone during the season 2015-16 is 40 lakh bales, down from 53.50 lakh bales last year.

Arrivals of cotton during the ongoing 2015-16 season continue to lag behind last year’s arrivals. Arrivals during the 2015-16 season up to the end of March 2016, which are estimated at 280.15 lakh bales, are lower by about 12 per cent than the 318.45 lakh bales that had arrived till the same period last year.

This reduction in arrivals during the ongoing cotton season is also a clear indication of a lower crop this year. Total cotton supply for the 2015-16 season is estimated at 428.60 lakh bales with domestic consumption likely to account for 305 lakh bales. That would leave a surplus of 123.60 lakh bales.

Deliveries of raw cotton to Indian mills have fallen 12 per cent this season. Cotton plays an important role in the Indian economy as the country's textile industry is predominantly cotton based. India is one of the largest producers as well as exporters of cotton yarn.