Cotton arrival in Pakistan increased 37% year-on-year, showed the latest fortnightly data released by the Pakistan Cotton Ginner's Association (PCGA) on Tuesday.
As per the report, total cotton arrivals surged to 7.347 million bales as of January 1, 2022, compared to 5.371 million bales in the same period last year, a difference of 1.97 million bales. On a fortnightly basis, cotton arrival in the county was up 1%, as compared to 7.274 million bales arrived on December 15, 2021.
Cotton is crucial for Pakistan's textile sector that is also the country’s largest exporter.
“The textile sector, which accounts for 60.86% in total exports witnessed a remarkable increase of 22.93% during FY2021 in comparison with a negative growth of 6.01% last year and amounted to $15.399 billion in FY2021 as compared to $12.527 billion during FY2020,” revealed Pakistan Bureau of Statistics in its report titled, 'Annual Analytical Report on External Trade Statistics of Pakistan FY 2020-21'.
“Rebound in exports of textile is the outcome of a series of incentives to support exporters to meet the challenges in the wake of COVID-19 and disruption in supplies. Moreover, the government’s decision to keep businesses open during lockdown provided an opportunity to secure orders diverted from economies under strict lockdown,” the report added.
Meanwhile, as per the PCGA Chairman Suhail Mehmood Haral, cotton arrivals reported a substantial increase in Punjab and Sindh — the major cotton-producing provinces of the country.
As of January 1, cotton arrival in Punjab was 3.839 million bales compared to 3.509 million bales in the same period last year, an increase of 330 million bales or 18%. On a fortnightly basis, cotton arrival posted an increase of 2% as compared to 3.774 million bales on December 15.
Similarly, cotton arrival in Sindh hit 3.509 million bales as compared to 2.112 million bales reported in the same period last year, an increase of 1.397 million bales or 66%. On a fortnightly basis, cotton arrival increased marginally of 0.2% as compared to 3.501 million bales on December 15.
Provincial Minister for Agriculture Syed Hussain Jahania Gardezi has said that per acre cotton production increased by 21% in Punjab province.
In a statement issued on Monday, the minister observed that Punjab government pro agriculture policies and hard work of the farmers were two main reasons behind increase in per acre production of cotton. During the on-going season, the average cotton production remained 23.9 maunds per acre. The cotton crop was sown at 3.16 million acres in the province which was 17% less area if compared to last year’s sowing area.
The government launched a pest control campaign which remained highly successful. Integrated Pests Management (IPM) model was introduced which helped in controlling pest pressure, said Minister.
Gardezi added that Punjab Seed Council has also been directed to approve new varieties with fingerprint reports and provide quality seeds to farmers.