During the current cotton season, Pakistan has achieved a notable milestone by successfully exporting approximately 125,000 cotton bales, primarily to China, Vietnam, and Indonesia. This substantial increase in export volume is credited to a single cotton ginner from Sindh, Dr. Jasso Mal, who secured all the deals.
The positive shift is attributed to the combined factors of improved lint quality and favorable international markets that attracted foreign buyers to Pakistani cotton.
Cotton Ginners Forum Chairman Ihsanul Haq highlighted the enhanced crop quality resulting from the absence of traditional rains in most cotton-growing regions. The devaluation of the rupee has further bolstered the competitiveness of local cotton. Despite this success, challenges in Punjab, such as a severe whitefly attack leading to a decline in lint yield and environmental pollution, have hindered the overall potential.
The Chairman urged the government to reconsider imposing heavy taxes on the textile sector, considering the industry’s struggle with high gas and electricity tariffs and elevated mark-up rates. Concerns were raised about the functionality of 60% of textile mills, and there is apprehension that the local industry might face difficulties in consuming even nine million bales of cotton, emphasizing the need for sustained support and policy adjustments. Previous seasons witnessed poor performance, with only 4,900 bales in 2022-23, 16,000 bales in 2021-22, and 70,200 bales in 2020-21.
In a significant achievement for Pakistan, the country has successfully exported around 125,000 cotton bales during the current season, with the bulk destined for China, Vietnam, and Indonesia. Dr. Jasso Mal, a prominent cotton ginner from Sindh, played a pivotal role in securing all these deals. This noteworthy surge in export volume is attributed to improved lint quality and favorable conditions in international markets, attracting foreign buyers to Pakistani cotton.
Despite these successes, challenges such as a whitefly infestation in Punjab, resulting in decreased lint yield, and environmental pollution have impacted the overall potential. Cotton Ginners Forum Chairman Ihsanul Haq urged the government to reconsider heavy taxes on the textile sector, citing industry struggles with high gas and electricity tariffs and elevated mark-up rates.
Concerns were raised about the functionality of 60% of textile mills, emphasizing the need for sustained support and policy adjustments to ensure the local industry’s growth. The previous seasons faced poor performance, making the current achievement a notable turnaround.