MULTAN: The cotton ginning industry in Pakistan has witnessed a significant surge in activity, with seed cotton (Phutti) arrivals surpassing 8.3 million bales by February 29, 2024, marking a remarkable increase of 72.16% compared to the corresponding period last year.
According to the latest fortnightly report released by the Pakistan Cotton Ginners Association (PCGA), over 8.3 million bales have entered ginning factories nationwide, with approximately 83,85,752 bales already processed into market-ready form.
Punjab contributed over 4.2 million bales to the overall tally, representing a 42.79% increase in arrivals compared to the previous year. Meanwhile, Sindh recorded over 4.1 million bales, indicating a substantial 118.99% surge in cotton arrivals.
Key players in the textile sector procured the bulk of the cotton, with a purchase of 78,92,085 bales, underscoring the crucial role of cotton in Pakistan’s textile industry. Additionally, exporters acquired 2,92,726 bales to meet international demand.
Notably, the Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) refrained from purchasing cotton during the 2023-24 season. Sanghar district in Sindh emerged as the top contributor to cotton arrivals, with an impressive figure of 16,95,410 bales, followed closely by Bahawalnagar district in Punjab, which recorded 11,64,491 bales.
Despite the robust activity in the ginning sector, a modest stockpile of 2,08,279 cotton bales remains unsold in ginning factories, reflecting the need for continued market engagement and strategic planning to optimize cotton utilization.
With 56 operational ginning factories nationwide, the industry is poised to capitalize on the upward trend in cotton arrivals, contributing significantly to Pakistan’s agricultural and economic landscape.
