According to Pakistan’s industry officials, the US is likely to replace India as the major exporter of cotton to Pakistan in the current fiscal year after the commodity’s prices of the world’s second biggest producer increased.

Pakistan imported 2.5 million bales from India so far this year out of the total imports of three million bales to meet the shortfall. But, now the US is likely to emerge as the leading cotton supplier to Pakistan as its prices are competitive compared to Indian one, said Asif Inam, vice chairman at All Pakistan Textile Mills Association.

Meanwhile, the Indian cotton prices increased 35 per cent within the last 15 days due to low sowing reports. The price is eight to 10 per cent higher as compared to the international market. An official at the Pakistan Agriculture Research said local mills haven’t booked any more cotton from India and, ‘all have shifted to the US cotton.’

Industry officials expect cotton production between 11.2 and 11.8 million bales for the current season subject to improvement in yield and no major pest attacks. The cotton harvest reached only 9.786 million bales during 2015/16 season ended in mid April against the previous year’s 14.863 million bales. The local consumption for the last year stood at over 14 million bales.