Pakistan: Cotton and Products Update
Pakistan’s 2016/17 cotton production is forecast at 8.25 million 480 lb bales, up 250,000 bales from the previous estimate. Despite reduced planted area, rising cotton prices are prompting farmers to more actively manage insects, resulting in higher expected yields compared to a year ago when low cotton prices prompted farmers to curb input costs. Stocks are forecast to drop to the lowest level in 15 years prompting a modest increase in forecast 2016/17 imports to 2.4 million 480 lb bales.
