Sindh overtakes Punjab in cotton arrivals as overall output inches up to 5.61 million bales

Pakistan’s cotton arrivals for the 2025-26 season edged up 1.6% year-on-year to 5.61 million bales, but Pakistan Cotton Ginners Association data shows the crop’s centre of gravity shifted to Sindh as Punjab posted a decline.

Consolidated arrivals reported by PCGA up to February 28 put last season’s output at 5.52 million bales. The latest tally shows a small national gain, driven by higher arrivals in Sindh that offset lower arrivals in Punjab.

Punjab’s arrivals at ginning factories were recorded at 2.69 million bales, down from 2.75 million bales a year earlier, a decline of about 2.2%. The data showed contractions across 11 of 21 districts, with Lodhran and Muzaffargarh recording the steepest drops of 75% and 52%, respectively.

Sindh, by contrast, reported arrivals of 2.95 million bales, up from 2.82 million bales in the previous season, translating into a 4.6% increase. Balochistan contributed around 0.19 million bales, according to the PCGA figures.

Based on the final season shares, Sindh accounted for about 52.6% of the national crop, while Punjab’s share was 48% and Balochistan’s contribution stood at around 3.4%.

PCGA data also showed the textile sector lifted 5.19 million bales during the season, while exporters and traders picked up about 0.18 million bales. Ending stocks at ginning factories were recorded at 0.24 million bales, down from 0.37 million bales at the same point last year, with 71 ginning factories still operating nationwide.

Arrivals during February 2026 were reported at 0.06 million bales, compared with 0.01 million bales in February 2025, pointing to higher late-season inflows as the crop year closed.