Pakistan'S Cotton Production May Fall Again In 2020

Due to the lack of confidence in the market, Pakistan's cotton production is likely to decline further in 2020.

It is understood that cotton sown in Sindh from March to may 2020 is still affected by poor quality seeds. Cotton farmers complain that the government only allows the sale of seeds with a germination rate of 50%, which is 98% lower than the international standard, and also less than 75% before. Pakistan's cotton production will fall from 14.8 million bales to 9.4 million bales, according to industry organizations in Pakistan.

On the other hand, in the case of locust attacks, the seed consumption required for planting the crop in specific areas is three times that of normal times. Under the influence of locusts and poor seed quality, the cotton planting area must be doubled. Despite the impact on seed quality, cottonseed prices increased from RS 150 per kg to RS 300 per kg.

Pakistan's industry organizations called for a major overhaul of the policy, hoping that the government would provide farmers with high-yield and drought resistant pure seeds, and reasonably adjust cotton prices to increase the yield to 14 million bales in the medium term.