Pakistan’s cotton arrivals at ginning factories reached 3,208,402 bales by September 30, 2026, up 5.39 percent from 3,044,409 bales at the same point last year, according to Pakistan Cotton Ginners Association (PCGA) data reported by Business Recorder.
Based on the reported 2026 total and PCGA’s published figure for the same period in 2025, Origin Pakistan calculates that arrivals increased by 163,993 bales year on year. The figures represent cumulative cotton arrivals at ginning factories and should not be treated as a final estimate of Pakistan’s total cotton production for the season.
Punjab arrivals rise as regional totals increase
Punjab recorded 1,214,951 bales in arrivals by September 30, up 6.91 percent from 1,136,439 bales a year earlier. PCGA’s reported “Total Sindh” figure stood at 1,993,451 bales, compared with 1,907,970 bales in the corresponding period last year.
The regional figures require careful interpretation. In its published report covering arrivals up to September 30, 2025, PCGA includes Balochistan within the table contributing to its “Total Sindh” figure. Balochistan’s arrivals should therefore not be added separately to that regional total when calculating nationwide arrivals, as doing so would result in double counting.
Balochistan’s 2026 arrivals were reported at 152,763 bales, compared with 112,900 bales in PCGA’s published 2025 report. Based on those figures, Origin Pakistan calculates an increase of 39,863 bales, or 35.31 percent.
Fortnightly cotton flow slows despite higher cumulative arrivals
While cumulative cotton arrivals remained above last year’s level, the latest fortnight showed a different trend. The News reported, citing PCGA data, that arrivals during the latest fortnight were about 819,000 bales, compared with 1.04 million bales during the corresponding period a year earlier.
The figures indicate that the pace of arrivals during the latest reporting period slowed even though total arrivals accumulated since the start of the season remained higher year on year.
Fewer ginning factories reported in operation
Business Recorder, citing PCGA data, reported that 459 ginning factories were operating during the current reporting period. PCGA’s published report for the same point in 2025 listed 501 operating factories.
That represents 42 fewer operating factories, or a decline of about 8.38 percent based on Origin Pakistan’s calculation. The number of operating factories provides additional context for processing activity but does not, on its own, establish the size or quality of the overall cotton crop.
What the cotton arrival figures show
The cumulative increase and the weaker fortnightly flow measure different aspects of the cotton season. The cumulative figure compares all reported arrivals up to September 30 with the corresponding period last year, while the fortnightly figure measures cotton reaching ginning factories during a shorter reporting window.
These arrival figures should also be distinguished from estimates of final cotton production, crop yield and lint quality. Further arrivals during the season could change the overall picture as additional cotton reaches ginning factories.
The September 30, 2026 statement was not listed in PCGA’s public arrival-report archive when checked for this article. Current-season figures are therefore attributed to news reports citing PCGA data, while PCGA’s published 2025 statement is used as the primary-source comparison for the previous year.
For broader economic context, read Origin Pakistan’s coverage of the State Bank of Pakistan’s policy-rate decision.
