India’s cotton output is estimated to be 341.50 lakh bales for the 2015-16 season, which began October 1. 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 the white-fly attack this year. The total output estimated in the northern zone during the season 2015-16 is 41 lakh bales, down from 53.50 lakh bales last year. The arrival of cotton during April is estimated at 22.25 lakh bales compared to 27.05 lakh bales arrived during the same month last year.

Total cotton arrivals this season up to April are estimated at 302.40 lakh bales, which constitute around 89 per cent of the total estimated crop. The estimated total supply for 2015-16 is estimated at 429.10 lakh bales while domestic consumption is estimated at 305 lakh bales, thus leaving an available surplus of 124.10 lakh bales.

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 and the Indian textile industry contributes about 11 per cent to industrial production, 14 per cent to the manufacturing sector, four per cent to the GDP and 12 per cent to the country's total export earnings.