The Cotton Association of India (CAI) has released its December estimate of the cotton crop for the 2016-17 season beginning as on October 1, 2016. 

Mumbai-based association has placed the cotton crop for the 2016-17 season at 34.10 million bales of 170 kgs. each.  

The projected Balance Sheet drawn by the CAI estimated total cotton supply for the cotton season 2016-17 at 40.40 million bales while the domestic consumption is estimated at 29.00 million bales thus leaving an available surplus of 11.40 million bales. 

The arrivals of cotton during the ongoing 2016-17 crop year are estimated to be lower than those up to the same period last year due to holding back of seed cotton by farmers.