India Sets Feb. 25 Deadline for Cotton Exports

India’s Trade Secretary, Rahul Khullar, announced that the deadline for cotton exports has been set for Feb. 25. That deadline applies to the 2.5 million bales (170 kg) that were approved for export in the latter stages of 2010 but weren’t shipped by the previous deadline of Dec. 15.

Many exporters who registered their shipments last year, as required by the government, were unable to physically move the cotton out of the country by mid-December, largely due to heavy congestion in India’s ports. As a result, government officials reopened the export registration process from Dec. 30 until Jan. 6, 2011. Exporters had to reapply for the necessary certificates, and if they receive approval, will have until Feb. 25 to ship their cotton.

Officials estimate this year’s crop to exceed last year’s output by more than 10 percent, totaling as much as 32.5 million bales. It’s possible that the government will increase the amount of cotton approved for export in mid-January.