Pakistan’s Cotton Arrivals Double Despite Flood Damage

Pakistan’s cotton arrivals and imports have surged sharply despite prolonged rains and flooding in key cotton-growing areas, signaling a rebound in the country’s textile supply chain. According to data released by Arif Habib Limited, total cotton arrivals stood at 2.06 million bales in September 2025, up 118% year-on-year and almost double month-on-month. During the first quarter of FY26, total arrivals reached 4.06 million bales, a 55% increase compared to the same period last year. Imports also jumped sharply. Pakistan imported 351,000 bales of cotton in September, up 168% year-on-year, while the import bill rose 137% to $137 million. During 1QFY26, total cotton imports amounted to 1.01 million bales, valued at $1.7 billion, showing a 63% increase in value compared to the same quarter of FY25. The increase can be attributed to the higher demand from textile exporters, who ramped up procurement to meet global orders. The textile sector’s export performance also improved, with volumes up 4% and export value up 7.3% in the first quarter of FY26 — a sign of recovering global demand and better local supply chain coordination. While domestic arrivals have strengthened, reliance on imports remains high to bridge the gap between rising textile demand and limited local supply. Cotton import values peaked in May 2025 at $575 million, before easing slightly in recent months.