Cotton Association of India (CAI) has released its August estimate of the cotton crop for the season 2017-18 beginning from 1st October 2017. The CAI has retained its cotton crop estimate for the ongoing crop year 2017-18 at 365 lakh bales of 170 kgs each i.e. at the same level as in its estimate made in the previous month. Statements containing the state-wise estimate of the cotton crop and the Balance Sheet for the crop year 2017-18 with the corresponding data for the previous year are enclosed.
The CAI has projected total cotton supply up to 31st August 2018 at 407.50 lakh bales which consists the arrival of 358.00 lakh bales up to 31st August 2018, imports the Committee has estimated at 13.50 lakh bales and the opening stock at the beginning of the season as on 1st October 2017 which the Committee has estimated at 36 lakh bales. Further, the Committee has estimated cotton consumption for 11 months i.e. from October 2017 to August 2018 at 297 lakh bales @ 27 lakh bales per month while the shipment of cotton till 31st August 2018 has been estimated at 69 lakh bales.
The stock at the end of August 2018 is estimated at 41.50 lakh bales including 30.40 lakh bales with textile mills while the remaining 11.10 lakh bales are estimated to be held by CCI and others (MNCs, traders, ginners, etc.). The projected yearly Balance Sheet for the Season 2017-18 drawn by the CAI has estimated total cotton supply till end of the season i.e. upto 30th September 2018 at 416 lakh bales of 170 kgs each which includes opening stock of 36 lakh bales at the beginning of the season. The CAI has estimated domestic consumption for the season at 324 lakh bales while the exports are estimated to be 70 lakh bales. The carry-over stock at the end of the 2017-18 seasons is estimated by the CAI at 22 lakh bales.
