Cotton markets are experiencing sharp increases in phutti and lint prices as country’s cotton ginning season began in the second week of May for the first time ever.
Cotton arrivals have already started in parts of Punjab and Sindh, with several ginning factories beginning operations ahead of the traditional timeline. Four ginning factories in Khanewal and one in Burewala started operations over the past two days after partial cotton picking began in Sindh’s coastal regions.
Punjab based ginners have started purchasing cotton from areas where early sowing was carried out in February on a larger scale than in previous years. One ginning factory each in Sanghar and Tando Adam has also begun procurement activities and is expected to become fully operational within days.
According to Cotton Ginners Forum Chairman Ihsanul Haq, the unusually early start to the season has already led to a strong upward movement in cotton and lint prices. Initial advance deals for phutti ranged between Rs. 10,000 and Rs. 10,500 per 40 kilograms, while lint deals were settled at around Rs. 21,700 per maund.
Market activity has since accelerated, with phutti prices reportedly rising to as high as Rs. 11,600 per 40 kilograms. Lint prices have also climbed sharply to around Rs. 22,500 per maund, while some market sources reported deals taking place at Rs. 23,000 per maund.
Mr. Haq said reports of lint transactions reaching Rs. 23,500 per maund have further strengthened expectations of a continued bullish trend in the cotton market.
He added that the early start of the ginning season is expected to provide relief to textile mills that often face shortages of lint supplies at the beginning of the production cycle.
Fresh arrivals entering the market earlier than usual could help improve raw material availability for the textile sector.
Traditionally, Pakistan’s cotton ginning season begins in June. Even the start of the 2025-26 season in the third week of May had been considered historically early. This year’s launch in the second week of May marks the earliest beginning of the cotton ginning season in the country’s history.