Cotton Yields drop in Pakistan due to adverse weather

KARACHI: Ehsanul Haq, Chairman of the Cotton Gener’s Forum, painted a concerning picture of the country’s cotton harvest, predicting a significant decline due to adverse weather and pest problems. Despite a similar trend internationally, this dip casts a shadow on hopes for price hikes.

“Pakistan initially aimed for a robust 1 crore 28 lakh bales of cotton in 2023-24,” Haq stated. “However, harsh weather conditions and a severe whitefly infestation have forced us to scale back that target to 1 crore 11 lakh 50 thousand bales. Even that seems optimistic, with current estimates hovering around 85 lakh bales, particularly in Punjab’s cotton belts.”

This sharp downward trajectory, exceeding even the adjusted target highlights the crippling impact of environmental factors on Pakistan’s cotton production. The news comes amidst reports of similar struggles for major cotton-producing nations worldwide, suggesting a broader crisis for the industry.

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However, unlike the anticipated global price surge due to dwindling supply, cotton prices haven’t seen the desired increase. This adds another layer of complexity to the situation, putting Pakistani cotton farmers under immense pressure.

Haq’s statement serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities facing Pakistan’s cotton sector. With production plummeting and prices remaining unpredictable, the industry now faces the critical challenge of adapting to these realities and ensuring the well-being of its farmers. INP