According to a US Department of Agriculture (USDA) report, India's cotton exports are likely to drop by 9% to 9 million bales in the 2013-14 marketing year (August-July) due to sluggish demand and high prices as against the global market. During the 2012-13 marketing year, India had shipped 9.9 million bales of 170 kg each.

The latest report of USDA said, "The 2013-14 export estimate is unchanged at 9 million bales. Indian prices have been high relative to international prices over the past few months... Demand from China has also been weak. As reported previously, much will depend on China's cotton policies".

As India is resuming its position as one of the more competitively-priced cotton origins, the pace of exports could step up to the extent as demand, the report noted.