An analysis report by the U.S. Agricultural Counselor stated that Pakistan’s cotton production in 2016/17 is expected to be 1.74 million tons, an increase of 218,000 tons year-on-year, but lower than the 1.96 million tons predicted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in June.
Due to the downturn in domestic cotton prices for the second consecutive year, Pakistani cotton farmers are forced to plant corn and sugarcane. The cotton area is expected to be 37.5 million acres, a decrease of 4.5 million acres year-on-year.
For the remainder of this year, Pakistan’s cotton imports are expected to decrease, but will still be close to the record high of 760,000 tons. The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimated in June that Pakistan’s cotton imports this year would be 675,000 tons, an increase of 206,000 tons year-on-year.
In 2016/17, Pakistan’s cotton imports are expected to be 500,000 tons, higher than the 370,000 tons forecast by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in June.
