India to ease cotton export ban

India’s commerce ministry said on Friday it would allow cotton cleared by customs before March 4 to be exported, easing a controversial blanket ban the world’s second largest producer had imposed this week and which had boosted global prices. India unexpectedly banned exports on Monday to ensure adequate supplies for the domestic textile industry in the face of strong demand from its biggest customer China. But Farm Minister Sharad Pawar demanded the ban be lifted, saying it hurt cotton farmers, while China’s cotton industry association said the ban was “irresponsible” and would disrupt the global market.