Cotton production in Pakistan is expected to stay below the official target of 13.82 million bales and is expected to be at 12.5 million bales because of heavy monsoon rains and consequent floods.
Data from Textile Ministry projects that output may reach 13 million bales if the pest attack remains in check till the final picking. Meanwhile, spokesman for All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) projected the production of silver fibre at 13 million bales this year.
Spokesman also said that shortfall of two million bales will occur as the domestic consumption is of 15 million bales which will be fulfilled through imports of approximately one million bales.
Farmers Associates of Pakistan (FAP) Chairman, Shah Mahmood Qureshi was sarcastic when he said that even 12 million bales of cotton may not be produced due to factors like inadequate guidance by the concerned authorities about controlling pest attack.
Cotton production in Pakistan has been declining for last couple of years after it had reached 14.3 million bales in a year.
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