Pakistan Received 13.1 Million Bales as on February 1, 2014, Showing a Rise of 5.83%

Cotton ginneries in Pakistan received 13.1 million bales as on February 1, 2014, showing a rise of 5.83 percent compared to arrival of 12.378 million bales during the corresponding period of last season, according to the fortnightly report on cotton arrivals, prepared by the Pakistan Cotton Ginners’ Association (PCGA), in joint cooperation with All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) and the Karachi Cotton Association (KCA).

The data shows total cotton arrivals growing by 3.66 percent year-on-year to 9.362 million bales in Punjab province, and by 11.7 percent year-on-year to 3.738 million bales in Sindh province.

Of the total arrival of 13.1 million bales, around 13.022 million bales were pressed by ginners, of which 11.806 million bales were sold, leaving an unsold stock of 1.216 million bales with the ginners, as on February 1, the PCGA said.

The textile mills in Pakistan consumed 11.462 million bales, while another 343,152 bales of cotton were sold to exporters, the data showed.

At present, a total of 163 ginning factories are operational in Punjab compared to 499 ginneries that were operational during the same time last season.

Similarly, 27 ginning units are currently operational in the Sindh region, as against 57 units being operational during the corresponding period last year.

In 2012-13 cotton season, Pakistan’s cotton output fell by 12.81 percent year-on-year to 12.915 million bales, compared to the previous season’s production of 14.813 million bales, mainly because of less sowing of the crop.

Meanwhile, the PCGA has said that it would cooperate with several multinational companies (MNCs) for importing good quality seeds, in order to increase the production of cotton in the country.