KARACHI: Heavy rains and pest attacks have caused massive decline in the country’s cotton production by 33.41 per cent to 9.612 million bales from the start of season to February 1 as compared to 14.435 million bales in the corresponding period last year.
According to Pakistan Cotton Ginners Association (PCGA), 5.857 million bales have been produced in the Punjab up to February 1, lower than 10.500 million bales harvested a year earlier. Sindh produced 3.755 million bales as against 3.935 million bales. The pace of cotton arrival into ginning factories has also remained slow.
Cotton accounts for 28.0 percent share in major crops. Cotton crop for the current fiscal year is estimated at 10.9 million bales, falling well below the target of 15.4 million bales.
