Production of cotton in India in the current season started Oct 1 is likely to decline 7-8% to around 35 mln bales (1 bale = 170 kg), primarily due to severe pink bollworm attacks in Maharashtra. Though the government hasn’t yet issued any forecast, Cotton Association of India, on Nov 15, had estimated the crop for the current season at 37.5 mln bales, up 11.2% on year. The forecast, however, was based on the assumption that the acreage has risen 19% and the yield would fall 10% on year. It didn’t take into account the severity of the pest attack. Now, with emerging clarity on the intensity of the pest attack, Maharashtra alone is seen heading for a loss of 1.5-2.0 mln bales, nearly 5% of the country’s crop forecast.