India exported 11 million bales of cotton in October-May

NEW DELHI: India's cotton exports stood at 11 million bales of 170 kg each in the first eight months of the 2011-12 marketing year, a top government official said today.

"Eleven million bales of cotton have been exported between October 1, 2011 and May 7, 2012 in the current cotton marketing year, Commerce Secretary Rahul Khullar told reporters here.

Cotton marketing year runs from October to September. Last month, the government allowed further cotton exports in 2011-12 marketing year as production estimates have been revised upwards.

In March, it had lifted the ban on exports but decided not to issue fresh registration of certificates (RCs). It only allowed shipments for which RCs were already issued before the ban was imposed on March 5.

Before the ban was imposed, the government had issued RCs for about 130 lakh bales.

According to the latest estimates of the Cotton Advisory Board (CAB), cotton production has been revised upwards to 34.7 million bales from 34.5 million bales for the current season.

The agriculture ministry has also revised upwards cotton output to 35.2 million bales from 34.08 million bales.