According to cotton traders from Punjab, average length of cotton reduced by around 0.5-1 mm because of excessive and delayed rains. The strength and whiteness of the fibre was also affected. 

Speaking to Fibre2Fashion, a Bathinda-based trader said, “Delayed rains affected not only the yield but also the quality of cotton in north India. It rained when the crop was almost ready for harvesting. Rainwater logging in cotton fields spoiled the prospect of higher cotton production. On the other hand, cotton crop of Rajasthan was not affected as the state received very less delayed rains. Secondly, rainwater did not accumulate in the fields of Rajasthan due to the deep sandy ground.” 

Cotton prices are ruling high due to various reasons, but poor quality may discourage buyers from buying it. Cotton prices are hovering at ₹6,650-6,750 per maund of 37.2 kg in Punjab, ₹6,570-6,670 per maund in Haryana and ₹6,820-6,870 per maund in upper Rajasthan. Cotton was sold at ₹65,500-66,500 per candy of 356 kg in lower Rajasthan. Rajasthan’s cotton prices are ruling higher by ₹150-200 per maund from that of Haryana and Punjab as buyers were reluctant to accept lower quality cotton, trade sources said. The gap between the prices of cotton of these states may widen even further. 

Spinning mills may have a problem in consuming this cotton to make finer yarn. “Shorter fibre of cotton with less strength and whiteness may not be good for finer yarn. Normally, yarns of 30 count and higher are used for shirting and other dresses, but they require cotton of better quality in terms of strength, length, and whiteness,” a yarn trader from Delhi told Fibre2Fashion.

Earlier, trade and industry bodies and market participants estimated cotton production to be 58-60 lakh bales of 170 kg in north India including Punjab, Haryana, and entire Rajasthan. But the estimate was later reduced to around 50 lakh bales. Now, traders are predicting that the production may reduce to 45-47 lakh bales because of low yield. Delayed rains affected the growth of cotton balls which led to low production. 

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KUL)