Cotton Association of India today said February estimate of the crop stood at 396 lakh bales for the 2014-15 season, which is lower compared to last year due to slight decline in productivity in the central region.

The 2014-15 season began on October 1, 2014. The total cotton crop stood at 407.25 lakh bales (of 170 kg each) during 2013-14, according to CAI data.

Total crop in the central region in January is estimated at 219.25 lakh bales compared to 235.75 lakh bales last year.

The central region includes Gujarat, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh.

The projected balance sheet drawn by the CAI for the year 2014-15, estimates total cotton supply at 465.90 lakh bales while domestic consumption is estimated at 310 lakh bales, leaving an available surplus of 155.90 lakh bales.

Earlier, in its January estimate, CAI had put cotton production at 397 lakh bales.

Further, CAI said that the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) would need to begin making sales aggressively since it still holds a substantial portion of cotton procured by them this season.

CCI also needs to follow a uniform sales policy for all sectors, it said.