The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), which had estimated the Indian cotton production estimate for the 2018-19 crop year at 345 lakh bales has now lowered its latest estimate by 20 lakh bales to 325 lakh bales. The USDA made this reduction in its latest estimate, released on May 10, 2019 after extensive deliberations with the Cotton Association of India (CAI) and also after considering all aspects and the prevailing situation in India. CAI’s April estimate for the 2018-19 season has placed the Indian cotton crop at 321 lakh bales. The cotton body has reduced its production estimate for 2018-19 crop year, beginning October 1, 2018, to 315 lakh bales, lower by 6 lakh bales, compared to its previous estimate of 321 lakh bales released last month.

The cotton crop estimate released by the CAI for Maharashtra is lower by 2 lakh bales compared to its previous estimate made last month while the cotton crop estimates for the North Zone, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, now made by the CAI, are lower by 1 lakh bales each compared to the previous month estimate. Water scarcity in some states and uprooting of cotton plants by farmers in about 70-80 per cent area without waiting for 3rd and 4th pickings are the main reasons for reduction in the cotton crop this year.