India’s cotton production is estimated to increase by 10-15 percent on higher acreage across the country in the forthcoming 2017-18 season starting October over last year’s output of 337.25 lakh bales of 170 kg each. Favourable monsoon in most parts of key growing states such as Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, and in North India, is supporting the output.

As per the Union Ministry of Agriculture, cotton had been sown on 111.55 lakh hectares till July 28, as against 92.33 lakh hectares witnessed for the same time last year, thereby indicating an increase of close to 21 percent in the acreage.

Maharashtra has registered kharif cotton sowing of over 38.47 lakh hectares, while in Gujarat the area stood at 25.84 lakh hectares.

However, with the recent flooding in the key growing regions of Gujarat, the authorities expect a damage of about 30 percent to the crop in the State.

According to Nayan Mirani, President, Cotton Association of India (CAI), the apex trade, although the trade and government estimates put the acreage growth at about 20 percent. But they still have monsoon days left and it is unpredictable about the rain fury in other parts. Hence, estimating the output may be speculative.

However, considering the existing factors and the rainfall, the acreage will comfortably increase by 10-12 per cent and they will have almost equal increase in the production volume too.

Kharif cotton sowing is completed in most parts of the country and fresh arrivals are likely to begin by mid-September.

J Thulasidharan, Chairman, Confederation of Indian Textile Industry, said that the cotton crop situation would be clear only by end August. The crop needs some rain during August-September, and the pest attack also happens after 140 days of the crop. The changes in the crop will have to be assessed at regular intervals. A small portion of the area (around 6 lakh hectares) stood damaged in Gujarat due to flood, but re-sowing has commenced. They need to wait and watch.

Meanwhile, considering the increase — both in area and production — in the global cotton scenario, the market looks good at this juncture.

Forward contract rates for September–October delivery stand at around ₹39,000-39,500 a candy, while the December delivery quotation is still lower at ₹37,000 a candy. But mills will benefit only if the rates remain stable.

According to Arun Dalal, a cotton expert based in Ahmedabad, the current cotton stock position is very weak and they fear that if fresh arrivals don't start from Punjab by mid-September there will be a short-term rally in prices. So, in the near term, they do not see prices falling as a result of the higher production outlook.

Meanwhile, the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) has predicted uncertain cotton prices for the year 2017-18. The benchmark Cotlook A index is likely to hover around 69 cents/lb during the year.

According to ICAC, world cotton production may increase by 8 percent to 24.9 mt on the increase in the world cotton area by 8 per cent to 31.7 million hectares.

On the consumption front, ICAC has predicted world cotton consumption will rise by 2 per cent to 25 mt , while that for India is likely to increase by 2 percent to 5.3 mt in 2017-18. India’s exports are forecast to rise by 2 percent to 930,000 tonnes, noted ICAC.

India is expected to remain the world’s largest producer in 2017-18 with output rising 6 per cent to 6.1 mt .