Pakistan’s cotton arrivals at ginneries stood at 5.497 million bales as of 15 January 2026, broadly flat compared to 5.490 million bales recorded in the same period last year, according to data compiled by Arif Habib Limited.
Provincial data shows a mixed trend. Punjab’s cotton arrivals declined by 4 percent year on year (YoY) to 2.586 million bales, compared to 2.687 million bales last year.
Sindh posted a 4 percent YoY increase, with arrivals rising to 2.911 million bales from 2.803 million bales during the same period last season.
Despite the flat year-on-year performance, total arrivals remain slightly lower than the 5.525 million bales recorded by 28 February 2025.
On the production side, cotton sowing continues to lag targets. Total sowing for FY26 stands at 2.00 million hectares, falling short of the targeted 2.26 million hectares.
Farmers have achieved 88.6 percent of the planned area for harvest.
Lower sowing and stagnant arrivals could weigh on overall cotton production and increase reliance on imports and pressuring textile sector margins if the trend persists.
