Global cotton consumption estimate decreases, says Cotton Incorporated

(Image source: Cotton Incorporated) The US-based Cotton Incorporated states in its latest Monthly Economic Letter that cotton prices trended lower or sideways last month, with the values for the most actively traded May New York futures contract declining from a general range between 95 and 99 US cents/lb to levels between 88 and 92 US cents/lb. Over the same time period, A Index prices generally held to values near 100 US cents/lb. According to the research and promotional organization for cotton, following India's announcement to halt exports on March 5, New York futures prices rose by 4 US cents/lb. The reaction in A Index prices was delayed a day, with values increasing by 4 US cents/lb on March 6. In later trading, both New York and A Index prices retreated. Uncertainty related to both the volume permitted and the regulatory process of exporting cotton from India has been widely cited as a factor contributing to price volatility during the 2010/11 crop year.

Bangladeshi apparel makers concerned about India's ban on cotton exports

Bangladesh's apparel manufacturers have expressed concerns over India's export ban on cotton, saying that it would cause an adverse impact on both production and export of local textiles and readymade garments. They expressed the fear that as a result, the prices of imported cotton and yarn will increase significantly, thus affecting the competitiveness of locally made apparel items. The Indian Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) imposed ban on cotton exports with immediate effect to conserve supplies for local mills.

Cotton prices remain range-bound while supply rises, says Cotton Incorporated

(Image source: Cotton Incorporated) According to the February issue of Cotton Incorporated's Monthly Economic Letter, cotton prices remained range-bound over the last month. The US-based organization reports that in January, prices for the March futures contract on the New York exchange traded between 93 and 100 US cents/lb. Over the same time period, values for the A Index ranged between 99 and 104 US cents/lb. After the release of this month's USDA (US Department of Agriculture) report, March futures moved lower, closing near 90 cents/lb. It is also said that the USDA report features revisions to historical figures for several Asian countries. The most significant updates were for India, but a series of minor revisions were also made for central Asian nations.

India's cotton output likely to reach 340 lakh bales in 2011-12 season

The Cotton Association of India (CAI) expects that in 2011-12 season, India's cotton output will be at least 340 lakh bales (34 million bales), but its consumption will probably be below 250 lakh bales (25 million bales), Indian media reports.

CAI President, Dhiren N Sheth, was quoted as stating that favorable seasonal conditions for cotton in the previous season (2010-11) encouraged Indian farmers to boost the acreage for cotton cultivation, and with hindsight of price hikes in the 2009-2010 season, Indian famers used extra area for cotton cultivation.

Grades and staple length of cottons from various growth.

United States

USA Cotton	White	Light Spotted	Spotted	Tinged	Yellow Stained
Good Midling	11*	12	13
Strict Middling	21*	22	23*	24	25
Middling	31*	32	33*	34	35
Strict Low Middling	41*	42	43*	44
Low Middling	51*	52	53*	54
Strict Good Ordinary	61*	62	63*
Good Ordinary	71*
Below Grade	81	82	83	84	85
Remarks : *) = physical standards, all other on description

Kapas (dari bahasa Hindi kapas, sendirinya dari bahasa Sanskerta karpasa^[1]) adalah serat halus yang menyelubungi biji beberapa jenis Gossypium (biasa disebut "pohon"/tanaman kapas), tumbuhan 'semak' yang berasal dari daerah tropika dan subtropika. Serat kapas menjadi bahan penting dalam industri tekstil. Serat itu dapat dipintal menjadi benang dan ditenun menjadi kain. Produk tekstil dari serat kapas biasa disebut sebagai katun (benang maupun kainnya).

Serat kapas merupakan produk yang berharga karena hanya sekitar 10% dari berat kotor (bruto) produk hilang dalam pemrosesan. Apabila lemak, protein, malam (lilin), dan lain-lain residu disingkirkan, sisanya adalah polimer selulosa murni dan alami. Selulosa ini tersusun sedemikian rupa sehingga memberikan kapas kekuatan, daya tahan (durabilitas), dan daya serap yang unik namun disukai orang. Tekstil yang terbuat dari kapas (katun) bersifat menghangatkan di kala dingin dan menyejukkan di kala panas (menyerap keringat).