Cotton output falls 17pc amid Punjab slump
Cotton arrivals in Pakistan dropped 17 per cent year-on-year to 887,400 bales as of Aug 15, primarily due to a sharp decline in Punjab’s output, raising concerns over the country’s domestic production outlook. According to data released by the Pakistan Cotton Ginners Association (PCGA) on Monday, Punjab — once showing a 3pc increase in arrivals by July 31 — witnessed a reversal by mid-August, with arrivals now 6pc lower than the same period last year. In contrast, Sindh, which was lagging 47pc behind last year’s figures at end-July, has narrowed its shortfall to 24pc. Industry attribute the slump to recent rains, which have damaged quality, reducing demand from textile mills and forcing many ginning factories to halt operations. Ihsanul Haq, Chairman of the Cotton Ginners Forum, remains hopeful that with improved conditions, ginning activity in Punjab will resume soon.