Islamabad: In a notable development for Pakistan’s agricultural sector, cotton harvesting has begun earlier than expected in Sindh’s coastal regions.
This is setting the stage for what could become the earliest cotton ginning season in the country’s history.
Ginning activity is now expected to commence as early as the first week of May, a timeline unprecedented in Pakistan.
According to Cotton Ginners Forum Chairman Ihsanul Haq, forward trading has already begun, driven by the early availability of the new crop.
He reported that two ginning factories in Punjab — located in Burewala and Mandi Bahauddin — have concluded initial transactions, selling 600 bales of cotton for delivery between May 10 and 15.
These deals were settled at prices ranging from Rs17,000 to Rs17,300 per maund, with raw cotton sourced from Sindh’s coastal areas at procurement rates of Rs8,300 to Rs8,500 per maund.
Haq noted that limited picking has started in these regions due to an unexpected rise in temperatures, which accelerated crop maturity.
Ginners from Punjab have already begun buying this early cotton, and more forward contracts are expected to be finalized soon.
The developments have raised optimism that ginning factories in Punjab could begin processing cotton as early as May — a significant milestone in the country’s cotton processing timeline.
Despite the early start, concerns remain over the broader outlook for cotton cultivation nationwide.
Preliminary reports suggest a decline in cotton sowing across major growing zones compared to the previous year, which could negatively impact overall production for the Cotton Year 2025-26.
This reduction in cotton sowing is largely linked to farmers’ reluctance, driven by persistently low domestic cotton prices.
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The price depression is attributed to the record levels of duty-free cotton, cotton yarn, and grey cloth imported under the government’s Export Facilitation Scheme — imports that have disrupted local market dynamics and weakened farmer confidence.
Adding to the uncertainty, the Federal Committee on Agriculture (FCA) has delayed the release of cotton cultivation and production estimates for the 2025-26 cotton year.
These projections are typically issued in early February, but the current delay has left stakeholders without crucial data needed for planning and market positioning.
The early start to the cotton season provides a short-term boost to the ginning and trading sectors.
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But the underlying concerns around reduced cultivation and the effects of unchecked imports continue to cast a shadow over the long-term stability of Pakistan’s cotton economy.
