KARACHI, Sept 14: The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has scaled up its production estimates for Pakistani cotton crop for 2007-08 to 14.08 million bales. According to Karachi Cotton Association here on Friday, the USDA in its latest report of Sept 12, estimated the production of cotton to 11 million bales of 480 pounds (14.08 million bales of 170 kilograms).

It may be noted that the USDA in its report of July 2007, had indicated that Pakistan might miss its production target of 14.2 million bales for 2007-08 by at least one million bales due to the pest attack, especially of Mealy Bug on standing cotton crop and heavy rains.

KCA said that cotton crop was progressing well in fine weather conditions so far in Punjab and Sindh and hoped that production target will be achieved.

—APP