Punjab Cotton Area Falls Below 1966-67 Level

Punjab’s cotton cultivation area has declined to approximately 2.71 million acres during the 2026-27 crop season, remaining below both the provincial target of 3.2 million acres and the 2.964 million acres recorded in 1966-67, raising concerns regarding domestic cotton production, textile sector input availability, and increased dependence on imports.

According to available estimates, cotton has been cultivated on nearly 2.71 million acres across Punjab during the current season, resulting in a significant shortfall against the government’s sowing target.

Historical records indicate that cotton cultivation in Punjab covered approximately 2.964 million acres during 1966-67 and increased to 3.291 million acres in 1967-68. Consequently, the current season’s cultivated area remains lower than levels recorded nearly six decades ago.

Cotton sowing activity has remained below expectations despite the completion of major planting periods. Traditionally, early cotton sowing concludes by March, while late sowing continues through May.

The provincial government had targeted cultivation of at least 700,000 acres under early-sown cotton by March 31, 2026. However, actual cultivation reached only around 560,000 acres, resulting in a substantial gap against planned targets.

According to Cotton Outlook, the reduction in cultivated acreage has adversely affected Pakistan’s cotton production outlook for the ongoing season.

Preliminary assessments indicate a shortfall of approximately 15% compared to Punjab’s overall sowing target.

Cotton Outlook further estimates that the current season’s cultivated area represents the lowest cotton acreage recorded in Pakistan since the 1983-84 season.

In its latest forecast revision, Cotton Outlook reduced Pakistan’s projected cotton output for 2026-27 by 35,000 tonnes to 1.165 million tonnes, compared to its earlier estimate of 1.2 million tonnes issued in April.

The downward revision comes despite expectations of growth in global cotton production, which is projected to increase by approximately 79,000 tonnes to 25.45 million tonnes during the same period.

Major cotton-producing countries, including Brazil, United States, and Turkey, are expected to register production gains, while Pakistan remains the only major producer facing a downward production revision.

Pakistan’s annual cotton consumption is projected to remain stable at approximately 2.285 million tonnes.

With domestic production estimated at only 1.165 million tonnes, the country is expected to require imports exceeding 1.1 million tonnes annually to satisfy the raw material requirements of the textile industry.

According to Cotton Outlook, Pakistan’s cotton production growth has consistently lagged behind both domestic consumption requirements and international competitors.

The report warned that reduced domestic output could increase cotton import expenditures, place additional pressure on foreign exchange reserves, and create operational risks for the textile sector, which remains one of Pakistan’s largest export-earning industries.

The decline in cultivated area comes at a time when textile manufacturers are already heavily dependent on imported cotton due to limited local availability. Industry stakeholders have cautioned that the reduced sowing area may further widen the domestic supply gap unless crop yields and growing conditions improve during the remainder of the season.