Indian Oct-May (2015-16) Cotton Exports Surge 39% At 64.69 Lakh Bales Y/Y

MUMBAI (Commoditiescontrol) - India cotton exports during the current cotton marketing year 2015-16 (Oct-May) rose 39 percent at 64.69 lakh bales against 46.33 lakh bales same period last year due to increased demand from Pakistan and Bangladesh, according to commerce ministry.

The country has shipped 57.52 lakh bales of cotton in MY 2014-15.

Exports to Pakistan surged to 26.96 lakh bales cotton during the first eight month of current cotton marketing year 2015-16, beginning from October 2015. Last year export during same period was 3.39 lakh bales. Pakistan imported nearly 42 percent of cotton from total country's exports.

Cotton production in Pakistan is estimated to have fallen by 35% to around 97 lakh bales in 2015-16 season. Pakistan usually imports about 12 lakh bales of cotton a year. India is the largest producer of cotton in the world with the Cotton Advisory Board (CAB) pegging production for the 2015-16 season at 338 lakh bales.

Bangladesh imported 19.05 lakh bales versus 16.06 lakh bales, while imports to China tumbled at 6.29 lakh bales from 15.23 a year ago.

(By Commoditiescontrol Bureau; +91-22-40015533)