Indian cotton surplus is huge

In 2012-13, India's cotton production may reach approximately 35.5 million bales at 170 kg per bale, while consumption is estimated to be approximately 26.5 million bales. Therefore, excess cotton will be substantial.

Dhiren Sheth, president of the Indian Cotton Association (CAI), said at the 90th anniversary conference that due to delayed monsoon and unbalanced rainfall in cotton-producing areas, in early 2012-13, the area of ​​cotton planted may be lower than in the previous year. Planting area is reduced by about 3%. However, the rains in the states of Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh have been good and the situation has changed. Now the outlook for production looks very optimistic.

In 2001-02, India produced 15.8 million bales of cotton, which has doubled in the past 10 years. In addition, the productivity increased from 308 kg/ha in 2001-02 to approximately 500 kg/ha in 2011-12, while the total planting area referred to 12.178 million ha from 8.73 million ha.
Due to a sudden increase in production, India is now not only able to meet domestic demand, but has also become a stable cotton exporter from a cotton importer. In 2001-02, the contribution of cotton to India’s national export revenue was only 440 million rupees, and it will increase to 1400 billion rupees by 2011-12.

Today, India already has the world's largest cotton acreage, and it is the world’s second largest cotton producer, consumer country and cotton exporter. According to CAI, the main reason for the increase in India’s cotton production in the last 10 years was the increase in yields and acreage. However, India still lags far behind the world average yield, although Indian cotton yields have been basically stable in the past two years.