NEW DELHI (Commodity Online): India’s cotton output is expected touch near to the target this year with 30.5 million bales of 170 kilograms each, said the Cotton Association of India.

CAI had forecasted 31.28 million bales of cotton for the crop year, but the erratic monsoon affected production, said Dhiren Sheth, president of the association. Start trading in commodities from as low as $50. Join now

However, the cotton production according to October estimation may surge by 4.2% as against the previous years yield, he added. The cotton crop year starts from October and ends in September.

Rainfall was lower than normal throughout the monsoon season, then heavy rains in early October caused flooding in the southern states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and some parts of Maharashtra--key cotton growing regions.