Total availability is however higher than last year, negating the earlier fears of lower cotton crop this season due to possibility of draught-like conditions aired by the government.

Total cotton arrivals during 1999-2000 is seen to be around 154.60 lakh bales (of 170 kg each). According to Indian commodities.com, the central zone tops with a supply of 80.65 lakh bales (down from its earlier level of 82.08 lakh bales in January 2000), followed by 35 lakh bales from southern zone, 29.45 lakh bales from the northern zone.

Indian commodities.com had in January 2000 indicated that the total cotton supply during 1999-2000 would be 158.12 lakh bales.

As expected, poor rains in Saurashtra and Kutch contributed to the lower than expected arrivals from Gujarat, while in Madhya Pradesh the crop has been lower on account of less transfer of crop from Maharashtra due to better prices available to the farmers here, said its `Cotton Monthly Report'.

According to the East India Cotton Association (EICA) total arrivals up to May 31, 2000 were seen up at 142.50 lakh bales from 140.50 lakh bales last year. The total cotton crop during 1999-2000 is estimated to be around 147 lakh bales, EICA feels.

According to EICA, the cotton arrivals from the northern region in May had jumped by around 1.50 lakh bales to 30.30 lakh bales upto May 31, 2000 from 23.50 lakh bales during the period to May 1999.

Even cotton arrivals from Maharashtra has jumped to 35.20 lakh bales from 26.50 lakh bales up to May 1999. However, cotton supplies from Gujarat has slumped to 29 lakh bales down from last year 40.10 lakh bales.