Cotton output for 2016-17 expected to be 336.25 lakh bales

The cotton output is estimated at 336.25 lakh bales (one bale is of 170 kg) for the 2016-17 crop year as per the May estimates.
This is 4.25 lakh bales lower than the April projection, an industry association today said.
In its April projection, the Cotton Association Of India (CAI) had estimated 340.50 lakh bales for the 2016-17 crop year.
Cotton production stood at 337.75 lakh bales the previous crop year, CAI said.
The decline in cotton output is mainly attributed to lower production in the southern zone at 89 lakh bales during 2016-17, compared to 107.50 lakh bales in the previous year, according to CAI data.

The projected balance sheet drawn by the CAI estimated total cotton supply for the season at 406.25 lakh bales, while the domestic consumption is projected at 305 lakh bales.