Cotton arrivals in Punjab have declined to 40% of the total national output, while Sindh has emerged as the leading producer with a 56% share, according to the latest data released by the Pakistan Cotton Ginners’ Association (PCGA).
The fortnightly report shows that by October 15, 2025, total cotton arrivals in the country stood at 3.795 million bales. Sindh contributed 2.136 million bales (56.27%), Punjab 1.52 million (40.05%), and Balochistan 0.138 million (3.65%).
Punjab’s shrinking contribution has continued for the past three years. On the same date in 2024, Punjab’s arrivals were 1.185 million bales, while Sindh recorded 1.821 million. In 2023, Punjab produced 2.543 million bales compared to Sindh’s 3.279 million.
Once accounting for nearly 70% of Pakistan’s cotton output, Punjab’s dominance has now been overtaken by Sindh, which has expanded its share from 28% to 58% this season. The reversal of the traditional Punjab–Sindh balance marks a structural shift in the country’s cotton sector.
The change has implications for agricultural planning and the textile supply chain, as Punjab’s per-acre yield remains below Sindh’s despite having a larger cultivation area.
At the district level, Sindh’s Sanghar led the country with arrivals of 0.1067 million bales, recording a 4.64% year-on-year increase. Umerkot’s arrivals rose 135.98%, followed by Nawabshah at 108.4% and Dadu at 107.41%.
In Punjab, Bahawalnagar emerged as the top-performing district with 0.323 million bales, marking a 28.21% year-on-year rise.
