Cotton Production In Pakistan Is Expected To Decrease By 21%

According to the US agricultural Counselor's report, Pakistan's cotton production in 2020/21 is estimated to be 6 million 300 thousand packages, down 21% from the same period last year, because the cotton planting area decreased by 12% over the same period last year. Pakistan's textile cotton is expected to be 11 million bags, and the government continues to provide support for textile exports. At the same time, the textile industry will continue to adhere to the high quality development route, and the import volume of cotton is expected to reach 4 million 500 thousand packages, an increase of 8% over the same period last year.

This year, the cotton planting area in Pakistan is estimated to be 2 million 200 thousand hectares, a decrease of 12% over the same period last year. The reason is that cotton farmers are replanting other crops with better yields, such as corn, rice and sugar cane. At the same time, serious pest problems, unpredictable weather and inadequate supply of cotton seeds are also important factors for the reduction of area. In 2019, the emergence rate of new cotton in Pakistan was only 40-60%, far below the normal level of more than 80%. As the quality and quantity of cotton seeds were not guaranteed, the rate of emergence was reduced from 80% to 50%.

This year, cotton production per unit in Pakistan is expected to increase because the core cotton growers will only grow cotton, so productivity will increase. Due to the abundant rain and snow in 2-3 months, the water quality of this year is better than that of last year. The output per unit area is expected to increase by 8% over the same period last year, reaching 623 kg / ha.

In 2020/21, cotton consumption in Pakistan was estimated to be 11 million packs, a slight increase compared with the same period last year, because the Sino US trade issue caused some textile orders to flow to Pakistan. Meanwhile, the expected improvement of energy supply and the extension of the EU GSP for two years also bring opportunities for textile production. In addition, Pakistan's demand for high-grade cotton is still stable, and imports of cotton are expected to be 4 million 550 thousand bales.