India may face shortage of long staple cotton

India is likely to face dire shortage of long staple and extra long staple (ELS) cotton by 2008-09 (Oct-Sep) due to rising demand, an industry expert said today

"Indian ELS cotton output has been declining for the last several years. India's share in world ELS cotton production today is 9 per cent against 16 per cent in 2001-02. Domestic ELS output meets only 49 per cent of the domestic textile needs," cotton expert I J Dhuria, general manager, Vardhman Group, said.

He said output of DCH-32 "" a major ELS variety "" has been on the decline for many years. From a national crop of about 1 million bales (1 bale = 170 kg) in 1990-91, the output is estimated to have fallen to 250,000 bales in 2006-07.

"Low availability of quality seeds that can assure better germination and crop purity was the main factor for decline in ELS output. High prices of ELS cotton resulted in low stocks vis-a-vis the need for developing seeds," Dhuria said.

About 200,000 hectares are currently under ELS cotton cultivation, mainly in Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Orissa, Dhuria said. "Suvin, the undisputed king of Indian cotton varieties is grown in Salem, and covers hardly 1,200 hectares. Suvin output has slipped from 14,000 bales in 1990-91 to just 1,000 bales this year."

Looking at Indian cotton yarn production, demand for long and ELS cotton for 61s Ne count grade and above may rise over 25 per cent to about 1.9 million bales by 2009-10, the cotton expert said. "This will create a yawning gap between demand and supply of long and ELS cotton," Dhuria said.

On why ELS cotton from overseas is finding a place on Indian spindles, Dhuria said, better fibre properties like 2.5 per cent span length, higher tensile strength and micronaire, and above all, absence of contamination, makes imported ELS more attractive.

Dhuria said India consumes about 32 per cent of world's total ELS cotton, equalling China. This year, India's share in world ELS consumption has risen on higher spinning capacity, with more spinners producing fine count yarns.

"India is estimated to have consumed over 1.5 million bales long staple and ELS cotton, combined, in 2006-07," he said.