Many Pakistani cotton growers, in an attempt to regain some of what they lost in 2010’s devastating floods, began planting their cotton as early as January 2011. Although they don’t normally begin the process until April, farmers started unusually early this year in the hopes that the crop will be more resistant to damage from flooding, as well as leaf-curl virus, which also hurt cotton crops in 2010, according to an April 6 article published on www.commodityonline.com.

The result of this extra precaution--combined with a rise in cotton acreage and increased use of genetically modified seed--could result in total production that approaches all-time highs. Currently projected at 10.9 million bales, it will represent the second-highest output ever for Pakistan behind the 11.1 million-bale total from 2003/04.

The country hasn’t been cotton-sufficient since the 1990s, but if it meets expectations, it will be a large step in that direction, especially since domestic consumption is still lagging behind its normal pace. Sources say that Pakistan will likely increase both imports (due to quality concerns about the domestic supply) and exports (to take advantage of high prices) in 2011/12.

Last year’s cotton shortage led to a big bump in mills’ synthetic fiber imports. From July 2010 through January 2011, Pakistani mills imported 53 percent more synthetic fibers than the previous year due to the dearth of natural fiber.