19 May 2004	Wednesday	28 Rabi-ul-Awwal 1425

KARACHI, May 18: Pakistan Cotton Ginners Association (PCGA) has estimated total cotton production in the country at more than 9.79 million bales till May 15.

The fortnightly report of the association issued here on Tuesday said that Punjab produced more than 7.66 million bales, while Sindh produced 2.129 million bales which include 3,596 bales from Balochistan.

Of the total, textile mills purchased more than 8.816 million bales, while TCP stayed away from the market and private sector exporters bought only 180,010 bales.

The total unsold stock left with the ginners estimated at 794,952 bales. Twenty-two ginning factories operated during the period under review, of which 18 were functioning in Punjab, while 4 in Sindh. -APP