Cotton prices surge as Pakistan’s ginning season begins in second week of May for first time

Cotton and lint prices surged as Pakistan’s ginning cycle began in the second week of May for the first time in history, with fresh cotton arrivals reaching factories in Punjab and Sindh. Four ginning factories in Khanewal and one in Burewala started operations over the past two days after partial cotton picking began in the coastal areas of Sindh, Dawn reported. 

Punjab-based ginners started purchasing cotton from regions where early sowing had been carried out in February on a larger scale compared to previous years.

Traditionally, Pakistan’s cotton ginning season starts in June. During cotton year 2025-26, the season started in the third week of May, which was then considered historic.

One ginning factory each in Sanghar and Tando Adam also began cotton procurement and were expected to become fully operational within days.

According to Cotton Ginners Forum chairman Ihsanul Haq, the early start of the season had already pushed up prices of phutti and lint.

He said advance deals for phutti initially ranged between ₨10,000 and ₨10,500 per 40 kilograms, while advance lint deals were settled at around ₨21,700 per maund.

However, market prices later increased, with phutti deals reaching up to ₨11,600 per 40 kilograms and lint prices climbing to ₨22,500 per maund.

Some market sources reported lint transactions at up to ₨23,000 per maund, while reports of deals touching ₨23,500 per maund further strengthened expectations of a continued rise in prices.

Ihsanul Haq said the earlier arrival of fresh lint supplies would help textile mills address shortages in raw material availability ahead of the usual schedule.