Pakistan’s Cotton Production Hits 3.208 Million Bales Amid Price Drop and Pest Threats

Pakistan’s cotton production has reached 3.208 million bales, with Sindh contributing 1.993 million and Punjab 1.215 million, according to recent figures. Local cotton prices fell sharply, tracking a decline in New York futures, with lint prices dropping by Rs1,000 to Rs1,500 per maund. The Karachi Cotton Association’s Spot Rate Committee cut its spot rate by Rs700 per maund to Rs17,800. Despite the price drop, trading activity picked up during the period.

Market sources reported a significant fall in the supply of phutti (seed cotton) and severe pest infestations in several growing areas. Farmers cited attacks by pink bollworm, mealy bug, whitefly, and jessed, threatening both yield and quality. Gomomal, a farmer from Umerkot, noted that only three to four truckloads of phutti had been shipped so far, compared to the usual 20 to 25, due to poor quality and infestations.

APTMA Patron-in-Chief Gohar Ejaz highlighted the textile sector’s strong growth, with exports rising from USD10 billion in 2010 to USD19 billion in 2025. He emphasized that the textile sector alone accounts for about 60% of the country’s total exports. Meanwhile, Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan argued for a minimum support price (MSP) for phutti, similar to wheat, to boost production.

The Pakistan Cotton Ginners Association (PCGA) reported that as of September 30, 2026, total cotton arrivals were 3,208,402 bales, a 5.39% increase from the previous year. Punjab saw a 6.91% increase, Sindh a 4.48% increase, and Balochistan a significant 35.31% rise. The crop’s final output will depend on pest pressure, weather conditions, and timely picking, with pink bollworm emerging as the most significant threat.