Cotton Yield Continues to Decline in India

The cotton yield in India is expected to reach a five-year low this season, possibly dropping below 475 kg per hectare (ha) despite the fact that 93 percent of the planted area is Bt cotton. Adverse weather in the north and central regions of the country are playing a factor in the yield decline, sources say.

In the 2007/08 season, India reached a high yield of 554 kg/ha but has seen consistent declines in the seasons since then, dropping to 524 kg/ha in 2008/09, 496 kg/ha in 2009/10, and 475 kg/ha last year. The world average yield for the 2010/11 season is about 774 kg/ha, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Initially, production estimates for the 12 million ha of planted area were 35.5 million bales (170 kg), but that number has been revised to 35 million bales, and could be revised downward again after unusually hot and wet weather struck in September and October. A more reliable estimate of total production is expected by the end of November.