Pakistan: crop progress

Hot and humid weather has been reported across the cotton belt over the last few days, as well as scattered pre-Monsoon showers in many growing areas of Punjab. Temperatures have fallen slightly in those parts, but are still reaching the low 40s Celsius. The current conditions are expected to continue in the near term.

Planting is essentially complete in most areas, although the area sown as of June 19 was equal to 89 percent of intentions in Punjab, and only 65 percent in Sindh. Growers have welcomed the recent rains which have eased heat stress on developing stands, and crop progress is generally described as satisfactory. However, Monsoon rains are expected to begin in July and growing conditions in the coming weeks will be crucial in determining the eventual crop size. Early estimates continue to place production at around 6.5-7.5 million local bales.

Harvesting has progressed on some of the earliest sown fields and seed cotton arrivals are gradually increasing, so more gins are starting their operations and are competing to procure available supplies. New crop seed cotton has traded recently at Rs. 7,900-8,700 per 40 kilos, depending on quality.

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