KARACHI, Jan 18: Arrival of phutti into ginneries up to January 15, 2002 stood at 8.424 million bales, showing a decline of 6.43 per cent over the corresponding period of last year when arrival was recorded at 9.004 million bales.

According to Pakistan Cotton Ginners’ Association (PCGA) figures during last fortnight (Jan 1 to 15) there was remarkable increase of phutti arrival but this did not help entirely fill the shortfall gap being recorded since beginning of this season.

During last fortnight 0.571 million bales are reported to have reached the ginneries or 0.169 million bales more against 0.403 million bales recorded during the same period last year.

Despite shortage of irrigation water it is encouraging to see that Sindh has recorded higher production this season.

So far the province has produced 2.031 million bales as against 1.932 million bales in the corresponding period last year. This indicates that the province has 5.09 per cent higher cotton production this year.

However, Punjab is still showing a shortfall of 9.58 per cent in cotton production as up to Jan 15, 2002, 6.394 million bales of phutti had reached the ginneries compared to 7.071 million bales recorded in the corresponding period last year.

Nevertheless, it is encouraging to note that 940 ginneries are still under operation in both the provinces as against 758 units stood active in the same period last season. At present 809 ginning units are still working in Punjab as against 625 units stood functional last year.

In Sindh, 131 units are currently operating compared to 132 units of last year.

On the consumption side textile mills, as usual, lifted lion’s share at 6.239 million bales (up to Jan 15, 2002) compared to 7.103 million bales in the same period last year.

However, the TCP somewhat stood active this season on lifting 116,301 bales as against 10,900 bales purchased by the corporation in the entire last season.