KARACHI: Listless conditions prevailed on the cotton market on Wednesday as leading buyers withdrew to the sidelines in the backdrop of falling world cotton prices.

Trading was overshadowed by higher world cotton production estimate and domestic traders seemed to be waiting for cotton production report due on Thursday.

The lack of buying interest from leading spinners further pushed cotton prices lower. However, ginners on their part remained steadfast and were not deterred with falling prices.

The New York cotton immediately came under correction when reopened on Tuesday after remaining closed on account of public holiday a day earlier. Only a day before going for holiday the market touched seasonal high over 82 cents per lb.

The other world leading cotton markets also remained easy mainly because of higher cotton production forecast by US Agriculture Department.

Meanwhile, textile industry looked worried over delay in issuance of statutory regulatory orders related to withdrawal of duty and sales tax on import of cotton as announced by the government earlier this month.

The Karachi Cotton Association (KCA) spot rates were adjusted downward to Rs7,500 per maund.

The following deals were reported to have materialised on ready counter: 1,000 bales, Haroonabad, at Rs6,800; 400 bales Fort Abbas, at Rs6,750; 600 bales, Rahimyar Khan, at Rs7,500 and 600 bales, Liaquatpur, at Rs7,500.

Published in Dawn, January 18th, 2018