Sindh Ginners Drive Historic Cotton Shift Amidst Inter-Provincial Commerce Boom
Sindh’s cotton ginning sector has experienced an unprecedented surge during the 2025-26 season, marking a historic shift in Pakistan’s textile industry landscape. This remarkable expansion is largely attributed to record purchases from Punjab and Balochistan, a phenomenon described as the highest in the nation’s history.
The number of active ginning factories in Sindh has seen a sharp increase over recent years. Data from the Pakistan Cotton Ginners Association (PCGA) reveals that operational factories in Sindh grew from 31 at the close of 2023 to 67 by the end of 2024, culminating in a record 82 active units by December 31, 2025.
Shifting Trade Dynamics and Their Impact on Sindh Ginners
Traditionally, Sindh’s prominent cotton-growing regions like Badin, Thatta, Mirpurkhas, Hyderabad, Umerkot, and Sanghar observed sowing in February-March, with ginning operations running from June to October-November. During this period, Punjab-based ginners were significant buyers of Sindh’s cotton. However, a notable change has occurred.
Over the last two to three years, Sindh ginners have increasingly turned the tables, actively procuring substantial quantities of high-quality cotton from key markets in Punjab, including Rahim Yar Khan and Bahawalpur, alongside produce from Balochistan. This reversal in trade flow has directly contributed to the sustained rise in Sindh’s active ginning factories. SindhNews.com has been closely tracking these developments.
Record Inter-Provincial Purchases Boost Sindh Ginning Units Amid Punjab Decline
This significant inter-provincial cotton movement has, conversely, led to a steady decline in Punjab’s operational ginning factories. PCGA figures show Punjab’s active ginning units dropped from 210 in December 2023 to 155 in December 2024, and further to 140 by December 2025, with expectations of continued reductions.
According to data available as of December 31, 2025, Punjab’s factories processed an equivalent of 2.541 million bales, while Sindh recorded arrivals topping 2.893 million bales, a figure that included 179,000 bales sourced from Balochistan. This contrasts with December 31, 2022, when Punjab received 2.718 million bales, and Sindh recorded 1.812 million bales.
Ihsanul Haq, Chairman of the Cotton Ginners Forum, commented on the evolving market. “Most active ginning factories in Sindh’s cotton zones are currently blending high- and medium-quality cotton,” he stated. This practice allows textile mills to acquire lint at more competitive prices, fostering consistent demand and upward price trends.
Over the past week, cotton prices have seen an increase of Rs200 to Rs300, moving from approximately Rs15,000 to around Rs15,300 per maund, with premium grades holding steady near Rs16,000 per maund. Haq also noted unverified reports suggesting the mixing of quality cotton from Punjab and Balochistan with waste material by some Sindh ginners, a practice that has reportedly garnered several complaints.
This shift represents a significant economic realignment, underscoring the adaptability of Sindh’s ginning sector and its growing importance in the national cotton supply chain.