India cotton planting area continues to rise

India’s 2012/13 cotton production is forecast 1.0 million 480 lb bales higher at 25.5 million bales, as late rains across central India have resulted in higher planted area and improved yield prospects in key cotton producing states.

Cotton area continued to expand during September according to the Ministry of Agriculture, rising to 11.4 million hectares.

Planting of the winter cotton crop in Tamil Nadu and southern Karnataka is underway and is expected to result in additional plantings of between 50,000 and 100,000 hectares.

Total area is estimated at 11.5 million hectares, significantly higher than the latest Cotton Advisory Board estimate of 11.1 million hectares reported in IN2114.

After a poor start, monsoon rains were relatively strong across parts of central and southern India, helping to improve soil moisture and support yields for the late-planted cotton crop. Yields are expected to be moderately higher than previously forecast in northern Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh where irrigation is limited and late rains are expected to support crop development.

India’s cotton production is now forecast at 33.0 million 170kg bales (25.5 million 480 lb bales).