Press Information Bureau

Government of India

Ministry of Textiles

12-December-2012 18:02 IST

India is the world’s 2nd largest cotton exporter and exported 128.81 lac bales in cotton season 2011-12. Government has formulated the National Fibre Policy with a decadal perspective, envisaging an annual growth rate of 7 percent for cotton fibre in period 2010-20. The recommendations of the National Fibre Policy have been incorporated into the 12th Plan (2012-17) with specific financing provisions.

The Cotton Advisory Board in its meeting dated October 4, 2012 estimated a crop size of 334 lac bales, mill/SSI consumption of 250 lac bales and export of 70 lac bales. The recommendations of the Cotton Advisory Board have been accepted by the Government.

Government has decided that the exportable surplus of 70 lac bales would be adhered to in registration of cotton exports. Cotton exports have been placed on Open General Licencing Category subject to registration of export contracts.

This information was given by the Minister of Textiles, Shri Anand Sharma in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.

DS/RK

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Export regulation of cotton: exportable surplus to determine registration; exports allowed under open general licence with contract registration. The Government governs cotton exports by enforcing an exportable surplus determination and requiring registration of export contracts; exports are placed on an Open General Licence while registration must adhere to the surplus established by the Cotton Advisory Board, with this policy anchored in the National Fibre Policy and related planning and financing provisions.