Browse Data and Analysis

FAS Mumbai forecasts MY 2024/25 Indian raw cotton exports at 1.2 million 480 lb. bales, 55 percent lower than previous estimate, due to India lint prices trading four percent higher than global prices, prompting buyers to prefer finer quality machine-picked cotton from foreign origins.

On September 25, 2024, India’s Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (MoAFW) released final production estimates of major crops for Indian crop year (ICY) 2023/2024 (July-June). MoAFW estimated grain production at a record 332.3 million metric tons (MMT) due to record production of rice and wheat.

India’s domestic apple production in marketing year (MY) 2024/2025 is forecast 6 percent higher at 2.55 million metric tons (MMT) due to favorable weather conditions in the apple growing regions.

Over the past two decades, India’s political landscape continues to hinder the developments in agriculture biotechnology. Bt cotton (Bacillus thuringiensis) approved in 2002 remains the sole biotech-derived crop approved for commercial cultivation.

FAS New Delhi forecasts India’s total milk production in 2025 to rise to 216.5 MMT, attributable to the growing herd size of animals in milk, increased government support for the dairy sector, the expected continuation of good weather, high milk prices, and an absence of a major disease outbreak.

FAS Mumbai forecasts marketing year (MY) 2024/25 coffee production (Oct/Sep) at 6.2 million 60-kilogram bags, four percent higher than the previous forecast due to plentiful southwest monsoon rains that will improve Robusta crop yields.

A heavy 2024 southwest monsoon season has caused flooding and water logging in several central India states, leading to crop damage and expected lower agricultural production. India’s Meteorological Department (IMD) indicated that monsoon withdrawal was delayed by a week to September 23 and is likely to further exacerbate crop damage during harvest.

India's retail food sector is experiencing significant growth, driven by increased household purchasing power, rising awareness of gourmet products, and a growing economy.

Post raised the forecast for India’s centrifugal sugar production in marketing year (MY) 2024/2025 (October-September) to 35.5 million metric tons (MMT), due to adequate rainfall from the 2024 southwest monsoon.

For marketing year (MY) 2024/2025 (August-July), post forecasts India’s almond production marginally lower at 4,150 metric tons (MT) (shelled basis), compared to last MY estimates.

Soybean production in marketing year (MY) 2024/2025 is estimated at 12.9 million metric tons (MMT) on favorable conditions and slightly higher area.

FAS Mumbai forecasts marketing year (MY) 2024/25 India cotton production at 25 million 480 lb. bales on 11.8 million hectares planted area, a two percent decrease in area from the previous forecast, as farmers have shifted cotton acreage to higher return crops such as paddy, and pulses.