Pakistan’s cotton arrivals rose 25% year-on-year to 1.114 million bales as of August 15, 2026, with Sindh recording a much stronger increase than Punjab, according to the latest industry data.

Cotton arrivals in Sindh increased 42% YoY, while Punjab posted a more modest 3% YoY growth. The increase comes from a relatively low base.

The latest figures also show that cotton sowing has reached 1.60 million hectares, equivalent to 74.3% of the government’s target of 2.16 million hectares for the current crop season.

For FY2027, the government has set a cotton production target of 9.64 million bales, substantially higher than the 7.05 million bales produced in FY2026.

Achieving the target would require a significant recovery in cotton output, with the government relying on increased cultivation and improved crop performance to bridge the gap from last year’s production.

The sharp rise in Sindh’s cotton arrivals has emerged as a key feature of the current season, although the overall production target remains challenging given the shortfall in cultivated area against the national target.