Gujarat sees 4% drop in cotton arrivals in 2010-11

AHMEDABAD: Gujarat has seen 4% drop in cotton arrivals in 2010-11 crop year (October 2010 to September 2011). The pressing data compiled by the All Gujarat Cotton Ginners Association has said Gujarat that is the largest producer of cotton in India, has pressed total 95.50 lakh bales (of 170 kg each) till May 31 2011. Gujarat had pressed over 99 lakh bales same period last year.

Late rain has taken its toll on crop size and that’s the reason for less arrivals locally. Large farmers have also choose to hoard their produces and still they have crops in hand. Ginners however, indicate that the drop is not owing to a fall in production in Gujarat. Instead, there has been a fall in crop arrivals from Maharashtra that accounts for about 10% of the crop pressed here.

Gujarat is slated to produce 1.1 crore bales this crop year. Maharashtra is the second largest cotton producer in the country with the crop size of above 90 lakh bales.

“Normally, Maharashtra contributes good amount of raw cotton for processing in Gujarat. This year however, it has decreased significantly,” said Chetan Patel, of Kadi-based Pashupati Ginning. Kadi is the biggest ginning hub in the country, housing more than 60 ginning units.

“Goods are coming from Maharashtra because of premium paid by Gujarat-based ginners. But this year, they have fetched good prices locally and hence, the arrivals to Gujarat fell," Patel added.

Out of total 95 lakh bales pressed, 94.18 lakh bales are of Shaker variety, while 1.37 lakh bales are of short staple Kalyan variety.