The total availability of cotton in the country during the current season is estimated at 441.81 lakh bales (of 170 kg each), Parliament was informed today.
Minister of State for Textiles Ajay Tamta said the total domestic consumption is estimated at 334 lakh bales.
"Therefore, there is sufficient availability of cotton in the country," he said in a written reply to the Lok Sabha.
The minister said after taking into account the opening stock of 47.81 lakh bales plus production of 377 lakh bales and imports of 17 lakh bales, the total availability of the commodity during the current cotton season is estimated at 441.81 lakh bales.
Following the rise in production, cotton export is estimated to increase by 15 per cent to 67 lakh bales in the current 2017-18 marketing year, which started in October.
This assessment was made by the Cotton Advisory Board.