India: Cotton and Products Update
FAS Mumbai forecasts MY 2017/18 cotton production at 30.1 million 480 lb. bales on acreage slightly over 12.2 million hectares. Yield prospects are lower than last year as erratic monsoon rains and pest pressure affected crop development. Still, a strong crop is forecast. Consumption remains sluggish as mills contend with offloading existing yarn stocks. Post adopted the CAB and TCO revised estimates of MY 2015/16 and MY 2016/17 acreage, production and consumption that were published after the CAB meeting on August 18.
