India's cotton export deadline will expire on February 25, Trade Secretary Rahul Khullar said on Thursday, for the remaining unshipped quantity of the 5.5 million bales allowed for overseas sales in the 2010/11 season. India, the world's second top cotton producer, has asked exporters to apply for cotton registration certificates between December 31 and January 6 for the unshipped quantities in the current season that began on October 1.
Khullar said the shipment for the remaining 2.5 million bales would start from January 11. Earlier, a statement issued from the trade ministry had said the deadline for exports would expire on February 25. The trade secretary also said India will consider increasing cotton exports in the current season after mid-January, once the second batch of shipments begin.
Export demand for Indian cotton rose after bad weather hit crops in China and Pakistan, both leading consumers. India is likely to produce more than 32.5 million bales of cotton in 2010/11, topping last year's 29.5 million bales, industry and government officials have said.