Pakistan: near final planting reports

Planting data continues to be assessed, with a final area number established for Sindh nearly four percent lower than last season. A provision estimate of final plantings in Punjab is still showing a figure over 17 percent down from last season. Overall planted area for both provinces is indicating a 13 percent deficit. How this equates to bales is questionable as there is a consensus that unreported lint business may reach around 1-1/2 million running bales due to the increase in sales tax from 10 to 17 percent on the purchase of raw cotton. Thus, it is anticipated that the disparity between the final arrivals figure and the actual crop may be wider this season.

Planting information from relevant government departments:

Nominal seed cotton arrivals have continued to reach cotton stations over the past few days. Since the Eid holiday starts from today, a hiatus in harvesting and ginning activities is anticipated during this week. Prior to this, ginning factories had continued to operate on a partial basis and compete to procure limited growers’ seed cotton stocks, the flow of which had declined due to the approach of the holidays.

Seed cotton commanded has continued to command firm prices between Rs.5,800/6,300 per 40 kilos, depending on quality.

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