Surge in cotton production in Sindh

Cotton output in Sindh is running ahead of Punjab so far this season, Dawn reported, citing Pakistan Cotton Ginners Association (PCGA) data. As of August 15, Sindh had produced 734,302 bales, up from 517,851 a year earlier, while Punjab stood at 379,211 bales against 369,550. Nationwide, output reached 1.11 million bales compared with 887,401, a 25 per cent rise.

Ginners and growers, however, doubt the gain will last, since the crop remains exposed to excess rain, temperature swings and other climate shocks. Early-sown fields benefited from water flows in March and April, a period when the province usually runs short, which lifted early arrivals at factories. Ginners also say underreporting in early Sindh figures cannot be ruled out, because some avoid disclosing output over tax concerns, and a 14pc levy on non-filers' oilcake sales was cited.

The provincial agriculture department put Sindh's output at 2.75m bales in FY26 and 2.82m in FY25, while the sowing target of 630,000ha has gone unmet for several years. Former Pakistan Agricultural Research Council chairman Dr Yusuf Zafar expects the early surge to taper in September and October. PCGA central chairman Sham Lal Deewan, meanwhile, projects 3.4m to 3.5m bales for Sindh in FY27.