Pakistani textile mills imported 206,100 bales of U.S. cotton this week due to a severe shortage of domestic supplies [1].
This sudden reliance on foreign imports before the start of the local ginning season signals a precarious state for Pakistan's textile industry. The sector is a cornerstone of the national economy, and the inability to source raw materials locally threatens production stability and increases costs.
Domestic cotton stocks were virtually depleted, which led to a sharp rise in the prices of local cotton and phutti [1, 2]. To maintain operations, mills turned to the United States and Brazil for raw materials [1, 2].
The scale of these imports is significant. The 206,100 bales brought in from the U.S. this week represent approximately 95% [1] of the total U.S. cotton crop for the 2026-27 season, which is estimated at 216,000 bales [1].
This procurement occurs just before the 2026-27 cotton ginning season is set to begin [1, 2]. Typically, mills rely on the local harvest to sustain their output, but the current collapse of domestic availability has forced an early shift toward the global market [2].
Industry reports said that the shortage has evolved into a national industrial problem [2]. While the exact volume of cotton arriving from Brazil was not specified, the combined imports from both nations are intended to bridge the gap until the local season can provide relief [2].
“Pakistani textile mills imported 206,100 bales of U.S. cotton this week.”
The heavy reliance on U.S. and Brazilian imports before the local harvest suggests a systemic failure in Pakistan's cotton supply chain. By absorbing nearly the entire available U.S. crop for the upcoming season, Pakistani mills are attempting to hedge against further domestic volatility, though this exposes the industry to international price fluctuations and currency risks.
