Hyderabad: Cotton is the most important fibre crop not only of India but of the entire world. It provides the basic raw material (cotton fibre) to the cotton textile industry. Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Karnataka, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh are the important cotton-growing States.
Cotton Association of India (CAI) has a lower crop estimate for the current year for Gujarat by 1 lakh bales, Maharashtra by 80,000 bales, Telangana by 4 lakh bales, Andhra Pradesh by 1 lakh bales and Karnataka by 75,000 bales.
Except for Odisha and Tamil Nadu, cotton production in all States has been reduced.
Water scarcity is the main reason for the low cotton output this year. Unfortunately, due to unavailability of water, cotton farmers had to uproot plantations in about 70-80% areas without waiting for 3rd and 4th pickings.
Dynamics of Cotton Export
Cotton Association of India (CAI) says India’s cotton exports in the year of 2018-19 has declined to 47 lakh bales from that of 69 lakh bales a year ago. Lower production and currency fluctuations are affecting cotton export.
Indian cotton has good demand in the international market, however, cotton prices are not competitive and domestic production does not assure constant supply.