Cotton body cuts India 2017-18 output view by 1.4% to 36.2 mln bales.

Cotton Association of India revised downwards its estimate for output in 2017-18 (Oct-Sep) by 1.4%, or by 500,000 bales (1bale=170kg), to 36.2 mln bales. The downward revision comes in the wake of crop damage on account of severe pink bollworm infestation and scarcity of water in some states. About 80% of cotton fields in Maharashtra the largest producer have been affected by pink bollworm attacks. The association, however, raised its estimate for consumption of cotton in the ongoing season to 33 mln bales from 32 mln bales pegged in February.