Initial estimates show that India is expected to plant 12.4 million hectares of cotton in the upcoming 2023/24 marking year, a decline of 2.4% from the previous year. Despite the expectation of a rise in cotton yields, growers are likely to move some former cotton areas to crops with greater profitability, such as oilseeds and pulses. On a regional basis, areas are to fall by approximately 10% in Northern India, 4% in Central India, and 6% in the south of the country. It is estimated that there are six million cotton growers in India, with an average farm size of 1.5 hectares.
Tags: Asia Pacific, Cotton, Crop Forecasts, India