Kharif cotton crop is likely to be at the same level as that of the last year, predicted the Cotton Association of India (CAI) on Tuesday.

The trade body has retained the cotton crop estimates for the year 2016-17 season at 336 lakh bales (of 170 kg each).

The cotton crop estimates released for the month of August is unchanged as against the previous month. According to the CAI data, for the year 2015-16, cotton crop was a tad higher at 337.75 lakh bales.

“We are maintaining the crop at the same level as that of the last year. There is a decline in the acreage of about 10 per cent but the same is likely to be offset by the higher yield. Therefore, we have put the estimate at 336 lakh bales,” said Dhiren Sheth, President, CAI.

The projected balance sheet drawn by the CAI estimated total cotton supply for the cotton season 2016-17 at 398 lakh bales, while the domestic consumption is estimated at 309 lakh bales, thus leaving an available surplus of 89 lakh bales.

The association has estimated cotton crop in Gujarat and Maharashtra to be almost neck-to-neck, at 88 lakh bales and 87 lakh bales respectively.