The country’s cotton production is all set to reach a new high of over 345 lakh bales in 2010-11, Cotton Association of India said in Mumbai.

“The acreage under cotton has touched a record of about 110 lakh hectares and the production is poised to reach a new high of over 345 lakh bales in 2010-11. Productivity is also likely to reach above 530 kg per hectare,” Cotton Association of India’s President, Dhiren N Sheth said while addressing the CAI’s 88th annual general meeting (AGM) in Mumbai.

The agro-climatic conditions at the time of sowing in cotton season 2010-11 had been favourable in all the cotton growing states.

As a result, the crop progress in all the cotton growing states was satisfactory and there were no reports of any major pest/diseases, Sheth said.

Cotton season runs from October to September.

The 2009-10 cotton season saw the highest acreage under cotton — the first time when the area crossed the 100 lakh hectare mark — and the production level touching 29.5 million bales (1 bale is equal to 170 kg).

The seasonal conditions in 2009-10 proved generally conducive to cotton.

The onset of monsoon was delayed which caused concern about the prospects of sowing cotton.

However, large scale cotton plantings were reported with the receipt of good rains, he said.

Apart from the increase in total cotton area, there was also further expansion in the area under Bt Cottons during 2009-10.

Commenting on increased cotton prices, Sheth said that the recent increase in price is mainly due to strong market fundamentals than speculation.

This reflects primarily a combination of low global cotton stocks and continued demand by mills.