January 18, 2007	Thursday	Zilhaj 27, 1427

KARACHI, Jan 17: Slightly improved flow of phutti from fields into Punjab ginneries during the last fortnight (Jan 1 to 15) has helped narrow the gap of cotton production to 11.555m that is still lower by 0.90 per cent over the corresponding period last year when production stood at 11.660m bales.

This leaves little hope for achieving officially fixed target of 12.5 million bales as arrival of phutti in Sindh has declined further. Some cotton analysts feel that cotton production would remain close to 12 million bales.

Consequently, higher demand from textile industry on expanded capacity of spinning would warrant for higher imports which could touch over three million bales, including long staple cotton which is normally imported by spinners to produce fine count yarn.

According to official figures, arrival of phutti during out-going fortnight stood slightly higher resulting in production of 58,563 bales at 473,268 bales compared to 414,705 bales produced in the corresponding period last year.

Nevertheless, cotton production in Sindh remained lower at 2.394 million bales or 8.99 per cent over the corresponding period last year when production stood at 2.410 million bales.

However, marginal increase in phutti arrival in Punjab ginneries helped narrow the widening production gap where 9.361 million bales were recorded up to Jan 15 as against 9.249 million bales produced in the same period last year, thereby showing a 1.21 per cent higher production.

It is note-worthy that spinners are purchasing higher quantity of cotton with total off-take at 9.464 million bales compared to 8.957 million bales purchased by them in the same period last year.