KARACHI, Jan 11: Cotton prices in the ready market fell on Friday amid higher phutti arrivals and most deals were struck below Rs6,000 per maund.

The Karachi Cotton Exchange kept its official spot rate unchanged at Rs6,000 per maund.

In Sindh, only 800 bales of cotton were exchanged at Rs5,700 to Rs5,775. However in Punjab activity increased as 8,600 bales of cotton were exchanged at Rs5,775 to Rs6,100.

The New York cotton prices ended lower on worries the US Department of Agriculture will issue a bearish crop report later in the week and that China will cut back imports.

Buying of cotton by funds realigning their portfolios in accordance with the monthly rebalancing proposed by commodity indexes helped limit losses, traders said.

The following transactions were reported in the ready counter on Friday:

SINDH TYPE: 400 bales, Daranwala at Rs5,700 and 400 bales, Haroonabad at Rs5,775.

PUNJAB VARIETY: 1,200 bales, Bahawal Pur at Rs5,775 to Rs5,800, 200 bales, Vehari at Rs5,850, 400 bales, Fort Abbas at Rs5,825, 400 bales, Arif Wala at Rs5,835, 800 bales, Faqirwala at Rs5,850, 400 bales, Shujabad at Rs5.850, 400 bales, Burewala at Rs5,850, 400 bales, Qabola at Rs5,850, 800 bales, Ali Pur at Rs5,850 to Rs6,100, 400 bales, Tonsa Sharif at Rs5,975, 400 bales, Hasil Pur at Rs6,075, 400 bales, Rajan Pur at Rs6,075, 1,000 bales, Shah Jamal at Rs6,100 and 400 bales, Sadiaqabad at Rs6,100.