Pakistan: Cotton Forecast Cut 10%
19 November 2007 The new forecast for Pakistan’s 2007/08 cotton production is now set at 2.04 million metric tons (MMT). The 10% drop from earlier estimates is due to poor germination after heavy rainfall during the sowing season, late planting due to water shortage, and high temperatures in August and September resulting in shedding of bolls.
Two severe pest outbreaks also attacked the crop: cotton leaf curl virus (CLCV) and mealy bugs. Agrochemical spraying to control the outbreaks depressed plant activity, generally reducing boll weight.
Illegal Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) cotton varieties have also affected the yield and quality of Pakistan’s crop. It is estimated that 40% of the 2007/08 crop is planted to illegal Bt cotton varieties smuggled in from neighboring countries, and not designed for Pakistan’s agronomic conditions.
Pakistan’s cotton consumption for 2007/08 is forecast at 2.736 MMT, making the country a net cotton importer. The textile industry typically imports extra long staple and medium long staple contamination-free cotton.
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