As on 1 January, 2015, a total of 13.958 million bales of cotton arrived at various ginneries in Pakistan, crossing the previous season’s total cotton production of 13.391 million bales.
Cotton arrival increased by 10.16 per cent year-on-year to 13.958 million bales at ginneries in Pakistan as on 1 January, 2015, compared to arrival of 12.670 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).
In Punjab province, the total cotton arrivals grew by 12.13 per cent year-on-year to 10.090 million bales, according to the data. In Sindh province, cotton arrivals increased by 5.35 per cent to 3.867 million bales as on January 1, during the ongoing cotton season 2014-15.
Of the total arrival of 13.958 million bales, 13.430 million bales were pressed by ginners, of which 11.941 million bales were sold, leaving an unsold stock of 1.488 million bales with the ginners, as on January 1.
The textile mills in Pakistan consumed 11.457 million bales, while another 391,465 bales of cotton were sold to exporters, and the Trading Corporation of Pakistan procured 92,700 bales, according to the data.
At the beginning of 2015, a total of 799 ginning factories were operational in Punjab compared to 663 ginneries that were operational during the same time last season. Similarly, 156 ginning units were operational in the Sindh region, compared to 135 operating units during the corresponding period last year.
Interestingly, the Cotton Crop Assessment Committee (CCAC), at its third meeting last week, kept its estimate for the cotton crop season 2014-15 unchanged from the previous meeting at 13.488 million bales.
In Pakistan, cotton is sown from March to June and harvested from October to February.
In 2013-14 cotton season, Pakistan’s cotton output increased by 3.69 per cent to 13.391 million bales, compared to 2012-13 season’s production of 12.915 million bales. (RKS)
