The export of cotton is estimated to increase by 15% to 67 lakh bales (of 170 kg each) in the current 2017-18 marketing year, which started in October. As per the assessment made by the Cotton Advisory Board (CAB), the increase in export will be on account of the rise in the output of the commodity. The shipments stood at 58.21 lakh bales during 2016-17 marketing year.
The crop production is estimated to increase to 377 lakh bales during the 2017-18 period from 345 lakh bales. The government is taking several measures to promote procurement of cotton from farmers on minimum support prices through Cotton Corporation of India (CCIL).
Besides, CCIL has opened 348 procurement centres during the current cotton season in order to ensure remunerative prices to farmers. As on December 20, 97.59 lakh bales have arrived for cotton season 2017-18. Out of which, 3.66 lakh bales have been procured by CCIL under MSP operations from farmers.