CAI further reduces cotton crop estimate to 313 lakh bales for 2022-23 season

The total cotton supply for October 2022-February 2023 is estimated at 192.73 lakh bales, which consists of the arrivals of 154.84 lakh bales, imports of 6 lakh bales and the opening stock estimated by the CAI at 31.89 lakh bales at the beginning of the season.

Further, cotton consumption during October 2022-February 2023 period is estimated at 120 lakh bales, while the export shipments up to February 28, 2023, are estimated at 8 lakh bales.

Stock at the end of February 2023, is estimated at 64.73 lakh bales, including 45 lakh bales with textile mills and the remaining 19.73 lakh bales with the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI), Maharashtra Federation and others (MNCs, traders, ginners among others), including cotton sold but not delivered.

The cotton supply estimated by the CAI till the end of the cotton season 2022-23, that is up to September 30, 2023, is 356.89 lakh bales.

The supply consists of the opening stock of 31.89 lakh bales at the beginning of the cotton season on October 1, 2022, the crop for the season estimated at 313 lakh bales and the imports for the season.

The domestic consumption for the season is estimated at 300 lakh bales, which is at the same level as estimated earlier.

The exports for the season have been estimated at 30 lakh bales, CAI stated.

The carry-over stock, which was earlier estimated at 35.39 lakh bales, is now estimated at 26.89 lakh bales, CAI added.