New Delhi, Nov 8 (KNN) For the current season 2018-19 (October-September), cotton production of India may fall by 4.75 lakh bales to 343.25 lakh bales of 170 kg, said the Cotton Association of India (CAI).

CAI had last month estimated India's cotton output at 348 lakh bales for this season.

The CAI has projected total cotton supply during October 2018 at 50.13 lakh bales which consists of the arrival of 26.13 lakh bales during the month, imports which the Committee has estimated at 1 lakh bales and the opening stock at the beginning of the season, at the start of the month, at 23.00 lakh bales. 

It estimated domestic consumption for the season at 324 lakh bales while the exports are estimated to be 51 lakh bales -- lower 18 lakh bales compared to 69 lakh bales last year.

At the end of the 2018-19 season the carry-over stock is estimated at 15.25 lakh bales.

The Committee's estimated cotton consumption for October is 27 lakh bales.

"The stock at the end of October 2018 is estimated at 20.63 lakh bales including 16.53 lakh bales with textile mills, while the remaining 4.10 lakh bales are estimated to be held by the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) and others like MNCs, traders, ginners, etc.," said a statement of CAI.

Unfavorable weather conditions would affect the crop in Gujarat, India's largest cotton producing state, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Odisha, said CAI.

According to CAI president Atul Ganatara, the CAI revised the crop estimate downwards for Gujarat by 2 lakh bales, Maharashtra by 1 lakh bales, Karnataka by 1 lakh bales and Odisha by 75,000 bales.