Pakistan's cotton arrivals rise 7.53% to 4.08 million bales as Sindh leads production

Cotton arrivals in Pakistan climbed 7.53% on a yearly basis to 4.081 million bales in the period ending 15 October 2026, according to a report from the Pakistan Cotton Ginners Association (PCGA) released on Sunday. An increase of roughly 285,000 bales over last year was supported by drier weather and favourable domestic prices. Sindh, excluding Balochistan, stayed in front with 2.262 million bales, a 55.43% share of the national total.

Punjab recorded 1.638 million bales, or 40.15% of the total, with arrivals up 7.79%, close to the national pace. Balochistan posted the fastest growth, with about 180,000 bales arriving, up 30.36%, lifting its share from 3.65% in 2025 to 4.43%. At the district level, Sanghar in Sindh led with 1.137 million bales, while Bahawalnagar was Punjab's top district at around 418,000 bales.

Textile mills bought about 86.7% of arrivals, and unsold stocks were 15.7% lower than a year earlier. Higher-grade cotton carried a premium of roughly Rs2,000 per maund over lower grades, a gap that could widen to Rs2,500 per maund as demand for better quality grows. Profit also cited market expectations that cooler weather could lift quality, while favourable prices and suitable weather may support arrivals in the coming fortnight.