Stakeholders step into new cotton season amid uncertainties

Cotton production, demand, & prices in India uncertain as new season begins; Telangana farmers expect better production, Haryana affected by pink bollworm infestation; Rainfall deficit in Karnataka; Textile industry facing weak demand; CCI Chairman says area under cotton reduced; Farmers in Telangana, Maharashtra, & Gujarat facing extreme weather; Prices expected to be ₹8,000-10,000/quintal; Govt. taking steps to increase cotton production & quality, but not on mission mode.

As freshly-picked cotton trickles into the market with the commencement of the new season (October 2023 to September 2024), farmers, traders, and the textile industry are waiting to see how production, demand, and price trends will evolve.

In Telangana, farmers say the production is expected to be better than last year. However, Haryana cotton crop is said to be affected by pink bollworm infestation. Rainfall deficit is expected to impact production in Karnataka. The feedback is mixed in Maharashtra and Gujarat, with reports of extreme dry weather affecting crops in some areas while the production may be good in others.

Meanwhile, the main consumer of cotton in the country, the textile industry, continues to stare at weak demand.

Asked about the outlook for the cotton year, a senior official in the Ministry of Textiles said, “Some challenges [are there]. However, still feedback flowing in.”

According to Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) Chairman and Managing Director L. K. Gupta, the area under cotton has reduced slightly, from 130 lakh hectare last year to 124 lakh hectare this year.

“[In] Haryana and Punjab, there is infestation (of pink bollworm). We are ascertaining (the infestation) in other areas. The arrivals today is 25,000 bales from the Northern belt. The quality is slightly poor because of infestation,” he said.

While excess rain affected the crop in Madhya Pradesh, dry weather had an impact in Karnataka. “The next 10-15 days is crucial for the crop,” he said.