Exports before deadline will be around 2.5 mn bales
India’s cotton exports are likely to miss the target this season as production has been hit by floods in Andhra Pradesh and unseasonal rain in Gujarat and Maharashtra, according to a senior official of the Union Ministry of Textiles.
“We (the textile ministry) believe cotton exports before the December 15 deadline (for closing exports) will be just around 2.5 million bales (170 kg a bale) as compared to the permitted 5.5 million bales,” said Joint Secretary (cotton) V Srinivas.
Speaking to mediapersons during a roadshow to promote the scheme for integrated textile parks in Hyderabad, Srinivas said the ministry should wait for more clarity on the quantity of cotton that would be exported. “It looks like it (exports) will be around 2.5 million bales. However, trade bodies say it will be two million bales, which seems reasonable,” he said.
Stating the ministry had earlier set a limit of 5.5 million bales, assuming a bumper harvest this season, Srinivas said it had become difficult for exporters to meet obligations. “Shortage of cotton products, both in domestic as well as international markets, pushed up prices.”
Union Minister of State for Textiles, Panabaka Lakshmi, said the Centre had sanctioned 40 integrated textile parks across the country, of which 25 are operational.
| World cotton demand & supply situation (in million tonnes) | ||||||
| 2005 -06 | 2006 -07 | 2007 -08 | 2008 -09 | 2009 -10 | 2010 11* | |
| Beginning stock | 11.89 | 12.55 | 12.78 | 12.23 | 11.96 | 8.93 |
| Production | 25.68 | 26.02 | 26.02 | 23.33 | 21.77 | 25.34 |
| Consumption | 24.99 | 26.50 | 26.50 | 23.51 | 24.6 | 24.99 |
| Exports | 9.73 | 8.37 | 8.37 | 6.61 | 7.77 | 8.43 |
| Ending stocks | 12.55 | 12.78 | 12.23 | 11.96 | 8.93 | 9.27 |
| Note: Year beginning August 1; * projected Source: International Cotton Advisory Committee | ||||||
“The central government has committed Rs 1,400 crore, as against a projected investment of approximately Rs 20,000 crore towards development of these textile parks. About 25 parks are operational at present, while the remaining will go onstream next year,” she added.
