Business

Farmers Have Uprooted Their Cotton Plants: CAI

Cotton Association of India (CAI) has released its December estimate of the cotton crop for the season 2018-19 beginning from October 1, 2018. The CAI has estimated cotton crop for 2018-19 season at 335 lakh bales of 170 kgs each which is lower by 5.25 lakh bales than its previous estimate of 340.25 lakh bales made during last month. CAI has reduced the crop estimate for Gujarat by 1.50 lakh bales and for Maharashtra and Telangana by 2 lakh bales each. "The main reason for reduction in cotton crop is that farmers have uprooted their cotton plants in about 70-80% cotton area due to moisture deficiency due to less rains and as a result of which there is no scope for 3rd and 4th pickings," reads the statement by Atul S Gatara, President CAI. The CAI has estimated domestic consumption of 320 lakh bales which is lower by 4 lakh bales compared to the figure estimated last month. Estimated exports for the season 2018-19 are at 51 lakh bales, which are lower by 18 lakh bales to the estimates made the last year. Cotton imports are estimated at 27 lakh bales, which is higher by 12 lakh bales compared to the previous year's import.