Pakistan's cotton arrivals nearly double to 73.7 lakh bales in 2023-24

In the marketing year 2023-24, spanning from August to mid-November, Pakistan's cotton arrivals reached 73.70 lakh bales, each weighing 170 kg. Last year, data for cotton arrivals during the corresponding period was not collected. However, arrivals were noted at 37.07 lakh bales during August-October 2022. Therefore, the total cotton arrivals almost doubled, showing a 98.8 per cent rise in the first three and a half months of the current season, which began in August 2023. 

Traditionally, cotton influx begins annually in August. However, this year, it started in July due to early sowing and favourable weather conditions, positively impacting the crop. This is a stark contrast to the previous year when heavy rains and floods severely affected cotton production in the main cotton-producing states. 

Data released by the Pakistan Cotton Ginners Association (PCGA) on November 18, 2023, revealed that cotton arrivals from July to November 15, 2023, reached 73,70,624 bales. This figure is not directly comparable, as arrival data was not collected for the same period last year. However, cotton arrivals were recorded at 37.07 lakh bales in August-October 2022. 

A provincial breakdown of the data showed that Sindh province recorded cotton arrivals of 39.41 lakh bales from July to mid-November 2023. Meanwhile, Punjab witnessed the arrival of 34,28,915 lakh bales. 

ALCHEMPro News Desk (KUL)