Pakistan's cotton arrivals decline 1% YoY

November 25, 2025 (MLN): Pakistan's cotton arrivals at factories reached 4.85m bales by November 15, 2025, marking a modest 1% YoY decline compared to 4.89m bales recorded during the same period last year, according to data from the Pakistan Cotton Ginners Association (PCGA), Pakistan Cotton Corporation (PCC), and Arif Habib Limited.

The latest figures reveal contrasting regional performance, with Sindh province demonstrating growth while Punjab experienced a contraction, reflecting divergent agricultural outcomes across the country's primary cotton-producing regions.

Punjab province recorded 2.17m bales as of November 15, down 3% from 2.24 m bales in the corresponding period last year, representing a significant underperformance compared to its historical contribution.

In contrast, Sindh province posted 2.69m bales, up 1% YoY from 2.65mbales in November 2024, maintaining its position as the leading contributor to national cotton arrivals and partially offsetting Punjab's shortfall.

 SOURCE: AHL Research

The current cotton season reveals a significant gap between projected targets and actual sowing achievements, with Pakistan's total FY26 sowing reaching 2m hectares against a target of 2.26m hectares, representing 88.6% achievement.

Historical data emphasizes the challenging context for this season's performance, with cotton arrivals showing considerable volatility over recent years.

Peak arrivals of 8.653m bales were recorded in November 2018, followed by a sharp decline to 5.028m bales by November 2020. The sector has struggled to regain momentum since then, with arrivals fluctuating between 7.381m bales in November 2023 and the current 4.857m bales, highlighting persistent structural challenges facing Pakistan's cotton sector.

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