The February estimate of the cotton crop stood at 396 lakh bales (LB) for the 2014-15 season, as per data compiled by Cotton Association of India (CAI). This is lower compared to last year due to slight decline in productivity in the central region. The 2014-15 season began on October 1, 2014. The total cotton crop stood at 407.25 LB (of 170 kg each) during 2013-14.
The total crop in the central region which includes states of Gujarat, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, is estimated at 219.25 LB in January compared to 235.75 LB last year. The projected balance sheet drawn by the CAI for the year 2014-15, estimates total cotton supply at 465.90 LB while domestic consumption is estimated at 310 LB, leaving an available surplus of 155.90 LB.
CAI had earlier, in its January estimate put cotton production at 397 LB. It had further stated that the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) would need to begin making sales aggressively since it still holds a substantial portion of cotton procured by them this season.