The cotton output in Pakistan has significantly declined, almost halving, due to a combination of climate change and inefficiencies in the agricultural sector.
This drop has major implications for Pakistan’s economy, given that cotton is a crucial crop for the country’s textile industry, which is a significant part of its GDP and export earnings.
According to the Pakistan Cotton Ginners Association, the overall cotton production during the current season has dropped by almost half compared to the same period last year.
The association’s first report of the season about the new crop released on Saturday 20, July, stated around 442,000 bales of phutti or raw cotton were brought to ginning factories up till July 15.
The number was 48.48 per cent less than 858,007 bales available to ginning units during the same period last year, the report said, which included data till July 15.
The recent report on cotton production in Pakistan highlights a significant decline in output compared to last year. Here are the key details:
- Punjab’s Production:
- Current Season: 114,375 bales
- Last Year: 198,873 bales
- Decrease: 42.49%
- Sindh’s Production:
- Current Season: 327,666 bales
- Last Year: 659,134 bales
- Decrease: 50.29%
- Sanghar District in Sindh:
- Produces 80% of Sindh’s cotton and 60% of Pakistan’s overall cotton.
- Current Season: 263,282 bales
- Last Year: 488,234 bales
- Decrease: 46.07%
- Ginning Units’ Purchases:
- Total Purchased: 395,695 bales (89.51% of total available produce)
- Textile Mills’ Purchases:
- Current Season: 374,889 bales
- Last Year: 691,731 bales