MULTAN: Seed cotton (phutti) equivalent to over 7.4 million bales reached ginning factories across the country till Feb 1, rising 33.19 per cent as compared to corresponding period of last year.

According to the fortnightly report of Pakistan Cotton Ginners Association (PCGA) released on Thursday, 74,10,296 bales underwent the ginning process during the period under review. Cotton arrivals in Punjab were recorded at over 3.9m bales. The province registered a surplus of 13.73pc at 39,08,686 bales as compared to corresponding period of last year when arrivals were recorded at 34,36,731 bales.

Sindh generated over 3.5 million bales. At 35,12,231 bales, the province registered an increase of 64.51pc as compared to corresponding period of last year when arrivals were recorded 21,34,935 bales.

Textile mills bought 72,33,312 bales while exporters purchased 16,000 bales. The Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) did not buy during the cotton season 2021-22.

Published in Dawn, February 4th, 2022