A 12.81 percent year-on-year slump has been noted in Pakistan’s cotton output for the 2012-13 season, which stood at 12.915 million bales, against previous season’s output of 14.813 million bales, data released by the Pakistan Cotton Ginners Association (PCGA) shows.
 
The fall in output is mainly because farmers cultivated cotton on lesser area during the period, swayed by forecasts of excessive rains that could affect the crop, coupled with an expectation of a sharp rise in input prices.
 
Region-wise, the province of Punjab contributed around 9.508 million bales to the total output, 21.62 percent or 2.624 million bales less than its previous season’s contribution.
 
However, posting a 27 percent growth over previous season’s output of 2.682 million bales, Sindh produced around 3.407 million bales.
 
Of the current season’s total output, textile mills have procured 12.162 million bales, while 0.353 million bales have been exported, which is again less than 2011-12’s exports of 1.1 million bales.
 
The fall in acreage prevented the country from achieving the production target of 14 million bales set for the season, PCGA ex-executive member Ihsanul Haq said.
 
Ambiguous weather forecasts by the meteorological department, which predicted 43 percent more rains in April and May 2012, over 2011, are mainly to be blamed for low cultivation.
 
High prices of inputs like fertilizers, diesel, pesticides, etc. also held back the farmers from planting on larger areas, he added.
 
Commenting on rise in production in Sindh, Mr. Haq said it is attributable to the low base effect.