More than 10.147 million bales of cotton have arrived in 2016-17 season at various ginneries in Pakistan, as on December 15, 2016, showing an increase of 12.33 per cent over arrival of 9.034 million bales during the corresponding period of last season. This seasonΆs arrival so far has already crossed previous seasonΆs total arrival of 9.768 million bales.

In the major cotton producing province of Punjab, total cotton arrivals increased by 19.38 per cent year-on-year to 6.444 million bales, according to the fortnightly report on cotton arrivals, prepared by the Pakistan Cotton GinnersΆ Association (PCGA), in joint cooperation with All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) and the Karachi Cotton Association (KCA). While in Sindh province, cotton arrivals increased 1.86 per cent to 3.703 million bales as on December 15 during the ongoing cotton season 2016-17.

Of the total arrival of 10.147 million bales at various ginneries in Pakistan, 9.678 million bales were pressed by ginners, of which 8.646 million bales were sold, leaving an unsold stock of 1.032 million bales with the ginners, as on December 15, according to the data.

The textile mills in Pakistan consumed 8.451 million bales, while another 198,844 bales of cotton were sold to exporters, according to the data. The Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) has not procured any bale of cotton so far this season.

As of December 15, a total of 359 ginning factories were operational in Punjab compared to 406 ginneries that were operational during the same time last season. Similarly, 161 ginning units were operational in the Sindh region, compared to 174 operating units during the corresponding period last year.

In 2015-16 cotton season, PakistanΆs cotton output decreased by 34.28 per cent to 9.768 million bales, compared to the previous seasonΆs production of 14.871 million bales. (RKS)