PAKISTAN COTTON MARKET:
In the local cotton market, cautious buying was seen by textile and spinning sectors. The textile mills are buying cotton from abroad while the delivery of imported cotton has increased. The reason behind its speedy delivery is that business is limited in local market.
Ginners were not ready to sell cotton at low price but some ginners are facing problems in selling their cotton due to which they are under pressure. This year despite the extraordinary decrease in the production of cotton ginners had the stock of 8 lac bales, although the new crop will arrive in four to five months.
As per information received from the lower Sindh the wheat crop is ready. According to the farmers the sowing of cotton in lower Sindh will partially start from March which will be ready till June.
In the local cotton market during the last week the prices were almost firm on same levels due to the less business interest. The Spot Rate was stable at the level of 9100 during the week.
Due to the Corona virus in China the business was badly affected in international market however, due to buying in New York Cotton market six percent increase was recorded in exports in the weekly export report of USDA. Other than China increasing trend was witnessed in import of cotton.
Turkey, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Indonesia and Pakistan are importing cotton from America in huge amount. The rate of New York Cotton is comparatively stable. The holidays were extended in China due to spread of corona virus. According to the reports partially businesses were started in China however fluctuation was observed in the rate of cotton in China while in India fluctuation is continuing.
Prices of seed cotton (Kapas/Phutti) in Sindh were in range from Rs 3200 to Rs 4300 per 40 Kgs and cotton is available from Sindh in range from Rs 8000 to Rs 9200 per maund (37.32 Kgs). In Punjab prices of seed cotton was in range from Rs 3300 to Rs 4400 per 40 Kgs and cotton is available from Punjab in range from Rs 8000 to Rs 9300 per maund (37.32 Kgs). Overall deals were made between the range of USC 63~74 Lbs. (8000~9,300/ maund).
| Opening Of the Week | Closing Of the Week | Change | |
| Lowest | 64.00 | 64.00 | 0.00 |
| Highest | 74.00 | 74.00 | 0.00 |
CRUDE OIL:
Crude Oil prices opened at USD 49.57 with lower level as compared to last week closing figures.
In this week, crude oil price showed upward trend and closed on positive side at the end of week.
In last day of the week, Crude Oil price closed at USD 51.98 with increase of USD 2.41 cents as of opening figure of week.
| Lowest | Highest | Change | |
| Price | 49.57 | 51.98 | -2.41 |
EXCHANGE RATE:
In last week values of Pak rupee showed slight improvement against US Dollar’s, other major currencies showed mix trend in both Interbank and open markets.
At the end of week, Euro closed on a negative note with figure of 1.08 and British Pound closed on positive note with figure 1.30 against USD.
| Selling | Buying | |
| LC Sight | 153.53 | 153.48 |
| LC 120 Days | 147.28 | 147.23 |
| Open Market | 155.99 | 152.81 |
NEW YORK COTTON FUTURE:
New York Cotton futures opened on higher levels on Monday as compare to previous week’s closing figures.
NYCF showed upward trend in next two sessions and later showed downward trend till closing, hence closed on negative side by the end of week.
At last day of the week, MAR 2020 closed at 67.41 with decrease of 78 points.
At last day of the week, MAY 2020 closed at 68.41 with drop of 33 points.
At last day of the week, JULY 2020 closed at 69.28 with downward of 26 points.
PAKISTAN YARN MARKET:
Local yarn market remained under sale pressure for another week in a row and mills were interested to make sale.
Target prices from the buyers were low thus some deals were finalized below than market prices.
Weavers were keeping close eye on market to understand and to get bottom prices to place orders and on the other hand, suppliers were resisting on these prices but was selling against reasonable bid.
Currently no mill has stock but number of sale days reducing gradually which is creating sale pressure for suppliers.
PSF prices remained stable during this week. In China PSF price were stable and internationally crude oil prices also were in smooth trend and same followed by raw material PTA and MEG. For next week it is expected that PSF prices will remains stable in domestic market.
Faisalabad trading market was reported average business activity. Most of traders were started advance buying in viscose yarn to build inventory well before start of season. Fine counts trade become little slow and blended yarn reported with limited numbers of sale.
Following are current asking prices of yarn in local market based on ex mills:
| Count | Price US$/Bale |
| 16/1 CD | 430 – 445 |
| 20/1 CD | 445 – 470 |
| 30/1 CD | 510 – 530 |
| 20/1 CM | 520 – 530 |
| 30/1 PC 52:48 | 410 – 440 |
| 40/1 CM | 650 – 665 |
| 60/1 CM | 935 – 960 |
| 80/1 CM | 1220 – 1315 |
EXPORT YARN MARKET:
Market remained under sluggish business activity due to uncertainties over the globe after break out of Corona Virus. This epidemic has put major impact on the trade as all business activities have been slowed down. It is expected that it ill take further time to control this situation before it spread in other countries.
Overall suppliers and customers are under wait and see mode. However, suppliers with bulk production may start show panic as they still have not received lc’s of March. So, coming week will be crucial and we might see good business activity as supplier will show full interest in selling.
Cotton prices remained firm and stable this week which also put impact on yarn prices and suppliers showed stability.
Actual situation will get clear in next week once all markets including China and HK resume their working.
Korean customers remained silent and no such business activity was witnessed.
HK customers also remained silent due to holidays.
European customers were active and floated good numbers of enquiries. Few orders were also placed where customer achieved their target price and deliveries.
| Count | Korea | Hong Kong | Taiwan | Japan |
| 16/1 CD | 440 – 450 | 440 – 450 | 440 – 450 | 440 – 450 |
| 20/1 CD | 450 – 460 | 450 – 460 | 450 – 460 | 450 – 460 |
| 20/1 CM | 505 – 515 | 505 – 515 | 505 – 515 | 505 – 515 |
| 30/1 CD | – | – | – | – |
| 32/1 CD HOS UNWAXED 100% COT. | – | – | – | – |
| 30/1 CM | 560 – 570 | 560 – 570 | 560 – 570 | 560 – 570 |
| 32/1 CM | 570 – 580 | 570 – 580 | 570 – 580 | 570 – 580 |
| 24/2 CD | 537 – 545 | 537 – 545 | 537 – 545 | 537 – 545 |
PAKISTAN FABRIC MARKET:
The local fabric remained slow throughout the week for both narrow and wider width fabric markets.
Flow of inquiries remained limited; resultantly limited business materialization reported in the market at slightly reduced price level after tough negotiation as buyers are not ready to pay high prices for both narrow and wider width fabrics.
Majority of the weavers are booked in narrow width till early April’2020 whereas they have covered their wider width looms till end-April/Early May’2020 and offering onward deliveries for both narrow and wider width fabrics.
Local fabric prices of regular items are as follows.
| Construction | Price US$/YD ExMill |
| 20CDX16CD/128X60 – 63″ 3/1 ”S” TWILL PAK CTN | 1.08 – 1.10 |
| 16X12/108X56 63″ 3/1 | 1.17 – 1.19 |
| 20CDX20CD/108X58 63″ 3/1 ”S” TWILL PAK CTN | 0.90 – 0.92 |
EXPORT FABRIC MARKET:
Export Fabric Far Eastern shown little bit improved activity towards end of the week. Korean customers inquired basic sheeting and chino but their target prices were very low hence no business was witnessed. Chinese customers were away of buying due to their holidays. Limited inquiries were received from Vietnam, Bangladesh, Japan and Malaysia resultant decent booking during the week.
Asking prices were soft about 1~2% due to softness of raw material prices.
Currently good suppliers are booked till mid of April and offering end April onward deliveries whereas average suppliers are offering end March ~ early April onward deliveries.
It is expected that business activity will improve in days to come and prices may remain stable with soft tone.
Conclusion :– Business activity was mixed for Far Eastern markets. Prices were stable with soft tone. It is expected that business activity will improve in coming days.
European customers were very active during the week as customers have share good number of inquiries from Germany, Italy, Spain, African origin resultant good quantity booking with selected suppliers.
TexWorld and Heimtex fair was held during the week. During the fair, limited activity was observed during TexWorld as limited walk in customers visited this fair however Heimtex fair was comparatively better as walk in customers was good in quantity. Bulk programs were discussed with European customers however limited buying was witnessed. Customers are working on the given offers by the suppliers and expected that orders will be placed in coming days. Most of the European customers were discussing to shift some orders from their Chinese vendors to Pakistan due to Corona virus as their deliveries are getting delay.
USA market remained mixed as limited inquiries were received both for narrow and wider width however limited booking was noticed.
Wider width suppliers are comfortable booking position hence they are offering end May onward deliveries for new orders.
Prices for wider width were stable due to stable fine yarn count prices.
Suppliers are expecting good support from USA, Europe and African origin in coming days.
| Construction | Price US$/YD CNF Far East |
| 20CDX16CD/128X60 – 63″ 3/1 ”S” TWILL PAK CTN | 1.12 – 1.15 |
| 16X12/108X56 63″ 3/1 | 1.24 – 1.26 |
| 20CDX20CD/108X58 63″ 3/1 ”S” TWILL PAK CTN | 0.92 – 0.94 |
BED LINEN & TOWELS:
The bookings at factories in Pakistan of bedding & towels market are going all strong.
The flow of inquiries from Europe has been good. Similar case has been observed from the North American market. Australia has been slow however, many reason for this can be the slight depreciation of their currency and closing of major retailers.
On the other hand deliveries in Pakistan for greige of bedding are available by mid may or early June. Lead times for new orders stands at 80 to 90 days for both woven and knitted articles including towels as well and for repeat the deliveries stand at 45 to 60 days depending on order quantities.
Innovative products are being introduced with machine alteration by renowned names in Pakistan. The after affects of Heimtex have shown a pretty good impact on manufacturers.
GARMENTS:
Garment sector is one of the major sectors of the Pakistan’s exports basket and Ministry of Commerce has always undertaken several steps to get market access for the Pakistani garments into international markets through trade diplomacy and trade promotion.
Under GSP+ Pakistan has duty free access in the EU market for garments and apparel. All big groups have already booked their periodic placements. This lead will further strengthen the industry’s core strength i.e cotton rich fabrics as well as the finishes and washes.
Attractive prices are grabbing buyers interest to place further orders. Factories are offering end May onward deliveries according to their available capacities and as per design of the garment.
GOING FORWARD:
Local yarn market is expected to be soft in blended yarn and some correction is expected in cotton coarse yarn counts. Further price trends will be according to demand and supply of different counts which will lead price level.
Slow & steady trend may prevail for both narrow and wider width looms for coming weeks for the domestic market.
Market showed minimal business activity due to uncertainties. We might see another week with slow pace as business activity has not been normalized in various regions.
European, African and USA sector remained active during the week with good flow of inquiries. Decent quantity of orders are expected to place in coming days however prices may remain stable without any major change.
Apparel industry in Pakistan is getting a healthy response from export market with sizeable order placements.
The inquiry flow has been mixed but the order bookings and deliveries indicate that the comings weeks, in fact months will remain fruitful for the Pakistani bedding & towels market in both home and institutional.
