Islamabad (Commerce Desk) – The ongoing war in the Gulf and the resulting halt in import activities have led to an unprecedented surge in cotton and cottonseed prices in Pakistan.
Last week, local cotton markets saw the price of cotton per maund rise by PKR 1,500, reaching a new high of PKR 19,500 for Cotton Year 2025-26. Similarly, the price of cottonseed per 40 kilograms increased by PKR 1,000, reaching PKR 9,300. Experts predict that prices may continue to rise this week.
Cotton sector stakeholders expect an increase in cotton cultivation for Cotton Year 2026-27 due to growing demand. Ehsan ul Haq, Chairman of the Cotton Ginners Forum, told a private TV channel that the suspension of cotton imports due to the Gulf conflict, record international prices, unexpected temperature drops across cotton zones, and light rainfall have all affected cotton cultivation. These factors have caused a sharp price increase in the local cotton and cottonseed markets over the past two weeks.
