Cotton planted during this Kharif season (2013 summer sowing) across India, is estimated at around 28.34 million acres, while last year it was 28.98 million acres. However, the Cotton Association of India has estimated the cotton crop for the new season beginning October will be 38.1 million bales.

Even though there is a slight decrease in the acreage of cotton planted, good rains and technological developments are enhancing the overall production of cotton. Late rains have resulted in the delay of seed arrivals. However, the available moisture is likely to help increase yields and result in a larger than estimated crop.

Gujarat will top cotton production this year with an estimated 11.35 million bales as against 8.32 million bales last year. The other states that will have good production are Maharashtra with 7.62 million bales, Andhra Pradesh with 6.95 million bales, Haryana with 2.26 million bales, Madhya Pradesh with 1.78 million bales and Punjab with 1.53 million bales. One Indian bale equals to 170 kilogram of cotton.

The total domestic demand will come down this year by 8.3 million bales and is expected to be 30 million bales. Overall, the supply of cotton will be 43.75 million bales this year, which is one million higher than the supply last year.