North India’s cotton production estimate has been revised downward to 51 lakh bales of 170 kg each for marketing year 2022-23.

The Indian Cotton Association’s earlier estimate for the region comprising Punjab, Haryana, upper Rajasthan, and lower Rajasthan was 58 lakh bales. Slower growth of the cotton plant is expected to lead to lower productivity.

Traders expected an upward trend in cotton prices due to low production, which was witnessed on Monday as cotton prices increased by Rs 75 per maund of 37.2 kg to reach Rs 7250 per maund for ready trade.Growth of the cotton plant remained slow in the current season. Therefore, average productivity may decline which will lead to lower production. Lower Rajasthan and lower Haryana continue to get rainfall during the last lap of the current monsoon season, the impact of which is yet to be ascertained. If the crop gets affected by the disruption in weather, the output may decline further.

Earlier, ICA had estimated that cotton production to increase by 23 per cent. Last year, late rain and pink ball worm attack severely affected north India’s cotton production. The Indian Cotton Association was incorporated in 1965 and is majorly into textile manufacturing.