KARACHI, Nov 19: Arrival of phutti (seed cotton) in Sindh remained on higher side but lesser picking in Punjab had adverse impact on overall momentum, which fell 13.41 per cent short over the corresponding period last year.

Major factors, which kept phutti arrivals slow in Punjab during the last fortnight (Nov 1 to 15), are said to be prolonged hot weather inhibiting blooming of cotton balls and the damage caused by the virus mealybug.

Consequently, arrival of phutti in Punjab from fields to ginneries remained short by 22.19 per cent or by 1.182 million bales compared to the corresponding period last year. In total 4.145 million bales have been produced up to Nov 15, 2007 compared to 5.327 million bales last year.

Against this phutti arrivals in Sindh were higher by 18.19 per cent where 0.269 million more cotton bales were produced up to November 15, 2007 as against the same period last year. Around 1.749 million bales have been produced in Sindh compared to 1.480 million harvested in the same period last year.

As a result of this the overall production fell short by 0.912 million bales or 13.41 per cent compared to the corresponding period last year. In total 5.894 million bales have been produced during period under review compared to 6.807 million bales last year.

Cotton analysts fear that crop would be much shorter than being officially anticipated at 12.8 million bails from 14.2 million bales earlier estimated. If the damage to the standing crop in Punjab increases there is a possibility that the gap between demand and supply would widen and the country would have to import substantial quantity to meet industry’s consumption of over 15 million bales.

According to official figures the arrivals during the fortnight was at 1.650 million bales, while unsold stocks lying with ginners stood at 1.52 million bales. There was less off-take of cotton by spinners, who purchased around 4.310 million bales up to November 15, compared to 4.673 million bales lifted by them in the same period last year.

Presently, 732 ginning factories are operating in Punjab and 186 units in Sindh.

It is also being estimated that with over 10 million spindles the country’s industry would be consuming over 15 million bales but private estimates of cotton production are not more than 12 million bales.