India likely to emerge as largest producer of cotton

Cotton output in all major producing countries in the year has been anticipated to be lower than the previous season. But with domestic trade estimating India ‘s cotton production at around 400 lakh bales, it is likely to emerge as the largest cotton producer in the world in 2015-16.

According to sources in Southern India Mills’ Association (SIMA), the apex body of spinners in the Southern Region, China has had to vacate its place as the largest producer of cotton to India.

The sources said that as per the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) global cotton production during 2015-16 has been estimated at 23.68 million tonnes, 8.6 percent lower than previous season production of 25.90 million tonnes.

Though USDA anticipated a marginal reduction in India’s production, trade estimates suggested that the production would be around 400 lakh bales of 170 kg each, taking India to the first position, the sources said.

USDA report on India has estimated cotton area in the country in 2015-16 (August to July) at 11.26 million hectares and cotton production at 370 lakh bales.

But with deficient rains in the later half of the monsoon season and instances of pest presence in Gujarat and Punjab, the sources said that the anticipated yield to come down to 524 kg per hectare, lower than previous yield of 527 kg.

Cotton production in China and the US has been estimated to be lower by 13.3 and 17.7 per cent, respectively, than that in the previous production.