Cotton output estimated at 12.8 million bales

Pakistan expects its cotton output in the 2007-08 crop year will be 12.80 million bales, 1.33 million bales less than targeted because of pests and more rain than expected, said Food and Agriculture Minister Sikandar Hayat Khan Bosan.

He said Pakistan, the world's fourth-largest cotton producer, last year produced 13 million bales. According to our first assessment, cotton production in 2007-08 will be 12.8 million bales. In June, the Government set a cotton production target of 14.14 million bales.

Final estimate of the crop would be made in February, 2008. The cotton crop year runs from April to March. Heavy rain in Sindh and Balochistan provinces and mealy bug and cotton leaf curl virus attacks in the main cotton growing province of Punjab were the reasons for missing the target. Another reason was a reduction in the sowing area as many farmers switched to sugarcane.

Pakistan achieved record cotton production of 14.6 million in 2004-05.

Pakistan's domestic consumption fluctuates between 14 million and 16 million bales a year, meaning the country has to import cotton every year to meet growing demand of its textile mills. Pakistan imported nearly 3 million bales in 2006-07.