LAHORE: Sindh has strengthened its status as the leading cotton-producing area in the nation, with arrivals totalling 2.528 million bales, surpassing Punjab province’s flow of 1.909 million bales.
According to the latest consolidated data released by the Pakistan Cotton Ginners Association (PCGA), as of October 31, 2025, the national cotton landscape has been characterised by significant regional disparities, particularly a troubling decline in Punjab province. The overall cotton arrival in the country reached 4.437 million bales, indicating a modest 3.41 per cent increase compared to the same timeframe last year. However, this growth conceals a more intricate story of shifting production centres and potential challenges for the textile industry.
Based on the latest figures, Sindh produced 0.619 million bales more than Punjab. The leading cotton-producing districts in Sindh include Sanghar with 1.132 million bales, Sukkur with 0.3 million bales, and Noushero Feroz with 0.204 million bales.
Sindh has made a significantly larger contribution than Punjab, marking a remarkable shift in the cotton production landscape of the country. Punjab’s considerably lower output compared to Sindh has raised serious concerns, as the province has traditionally been the leader in both area and total cotton production in Pakistan. This reversal of roles underscores ongoing challenges that have hindered Punjab’s cotton sector.
Punjab’s inability to sustain its historical leadership position poses a threat not only to the agricultural economies of the province but also to the overall textile sector of the country, which heavily depends on domestic cotton production. This trend necessitates immediate policy intervention, technological advancements, and support for Punjab’s cotton farmers to restore the province’s cotton prominence. The shortcomings in Punjab have severely impacted the competitive edge of the textile industry.
In contrast, Punjab’s performance can be described as a story of two halves. Out of a total of 1.909 million bales arriving from the province, southern districts such as Bahawalnagar, which accounted for 0.455 million bales with 09 percent increase over last year, led the way, followed by Bahawalpur with 0.289 million bales, Rahim Yar Khan with 0.248 million bales, and DG Khan with 0.241 million bales, all of which saw increases over last year. Notably, Rahim Yar Khan experienced a double-digit increase in arrivals compared to the previous year, which insiders attribute in part to action taken by authorities on suspected under-invoicing practices by ginners. On the other hand, several central districts, including Khanewal, Sahiwal and Multan, experienced significant declines compared to the previous year, with some reporting drops exceeding 30 per cent.
The distribution of ginned cotton reveals a distinct market preference. A substantial majority, totalling 3.59 million bales, was sold to textile mills, while a considerably smaller amount of 0.153 million bales was allocated to exporters and traders. The total unsold inventory stands at 0.693 million bales, which is slightly less than last year’s figure of 0.724 million bales.
As the 2025-26 cotton season nearly concludes, it shows a modest overall increase in production, primarily driven by consistent output from Sindh. The declining fortnightly flow of 0.641 million bales compared to last year’s 1.189 million bales does raise concerns that the country may face another year of low cotton production.Balochistan continues to be a shining star with arrivals of 0.15 million bales of good quality cotton with 14.38 per cent growth over last year.
