China's decision to import yarn in bulk may elevate cotton prices internationally, a phenomenon anxiously awaited by Pakistan’s cotton farmers selling their stocks on an average basis prices ranging between Rs 3,000 to Rs 3,100 in Sindh and Punjab. China’s cotton production for 2013-14 is estimated at 6.70 million tons as against 7.3 million tons recorded in 2012-13, a decline of 8 per cent. While consumption shows a fall of 3 per cent, it was estimated at 8.04 million tons in 2013-14 as against 8.29 million tons in previous year. Imports by China are estimated at 3.18 million tons in 2013-14 as against 4.43 million tons in 2012-13.

According to the Cotton Review of Pakistan Central Cotton Committee, under the Textile Division of Ministry of Commerce, Sindh has reaped more than 70 per cent of the assessed cotton crop for the year 2013-14. Farmers seem satisfied in terms of Phutti prices. In the meantime, declining trend in international prices has affected seed cotton prices in Pakistan.

Pakistan is likely to produce 11.958 million bales for 2013-14. Production in Punjab stays around 8.70 million bales, followed by 3.150 million bales in Sindh, 0.000433 million bales in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and 0.108 million bales in Balochistan.