Pakistan’s Earliest Cotton Ginning Season Pushes Prices Higher

Cotton and lint markets recorded a significant upward price movement as Pakistan’s cotton ginning operations commenced during the second week of May for the first time in the country’s history, following the arrival of fresh cotton supplies at processing facilities across Punjab and Sindh, according to a report published by Dawn.

Industry sources stated that four ginning units in Khanewal and one facility in Burewala commenced operations over the past two days after partial cotton harvesting activities began in the coastal belt of Sindh.

Punjab-based ginners reportedly initiated procurement of cotton from areas where early sowing campaigns had been undertaken in February on a comparatively larger scale than in previous cultivation cycles.

Historically, Pakistan’s cotton ginning season begins in June. However, during cotton year 2025-26, the season had already shifted to the third week of May, which at the time was regarded as unprecedented within the domestic cotton sector.

Additional procurement activity was also reported from one ginning facility each in Sanghar and Tando Adam, both of which are expected to become fully operational within the coming days.

According to Ihsanul Haq, the unusually early commencement of the cotton season has already contributed to a sharp increase in prices of both phutti and lint.

He stated that advance transactions for phutti were initially settled between ₨10,000 and ₨10,500 per 40 kilograms, while advance lint contracts were recorded at approximately ₨21,700 per maund.

Subsequently, market prices strengthened further, with phutti transactions rising to nearly ₨11,600 per 40 kilograms and lint prices increasing to around ₨22,500 per maund.

Certain market participants additionally reported lint trades at levels approaching ₨23,000 per maund, while reports of transactions reaching ₨23,500 per maund reinforced expectations of continued bullish momentum within the cotton market.

Ihsanul Haq further observed that the early availability of fresh lint supplies is likely to assist textile manufacturers in addressing raw material shortages earlier than the industry’s conventional procurement cycle.