Pakistan's cotton arrivals surge 49% to 30.44 lakh bales by end-Sept

The rise in arrivals can be attributed to improved weather conditions and timely crop management in Punjab, while the earlier dip in July was largely due to delayed harvesting and ginning operations—particularly in Sindh—following early-season pest attacks and localised floods. This recovery indicates better field conditions and successful pest control efforts in later months.

According to data released by the Pakistan Cotton Ginners Association (PCGA), 24.09 lakh bales of cotton were sold to the textile industry and 94,800 bales to exporters, out of a total of 25.04 lakh bales sold by the end of September. Higher offtake reflects improved demand from mills and exporters anticipating stable yarn orders and export recovery.

Punjab province reported arrivals of 11.36 lakh bales in the first three months of the current season, 56.37 per cent higher than during the same period in 2024. Arrivals in Sindh reached 19.07 lakh bales, 45.29 per cent higher than the previous year. Punjab’s growth was supported by timely sowing and favourable temperatures, while Sindh’s late start improved once weather normalised.

Pakistan recorded total cotton arrivals of 5.524 million bales during the 2024–25 marketing year, 34.18 per cent lower than the 8.303 million bales recorded in 2023–24, as per PCGA data. In 2023–24, production had rebounded after a steep decline in 2022–23, when output was just 4.912 million bales. The lower 2024–25 output reflects lingering effects of climate variability and pest damage.

During the last season, high temperatures damaged crops in Punjab and Sindh. Later, heavy and unseasonal rains caused crop diseases such as whitefly and pink bollworm, resulting in significant losses. However, the crop recovered in the later months of the season due to improved weather conditions. This demonstrates the crop’s resilience when supported by favourable climatic recovery and improved farm management.

ALCHEMPro News Desk (KUL)