PAKISTAN COTTON MARKET
In Last week in local cotton market, improved business activity was seen in the local cotton market both buyers and ginners were busy in buying of cotton hovering fear that local cotton crop will be short, ICE cotton price may rose further in coming days and will not be workable. Therefore, satisfactory business was observed in local market.
It is difficult that rate of cotton will come down as there are chances that it will increase because the production of cotton is very low as well as the increasing rates of cotton in international cotton market.
In local cotton market, cotton prices were firm at the level of rs 11000 per maund, some deals of Baluchistan cotton were seen at the level of 11400~11500 per maund. KCA increased rs. 100 and touched the level of rs. 10,800/maund.
Bullish trend remained continued in the international cotton markets especially the rate of New York Cotton reached at the level of 82 American cents per pound. The weekly export report of USDA shows 10% decline in exports due to which it is expected that rates remained stable. This time instead of importing China had cancelled the deals of importing 22000 bales of cotton. The bullish trend remained continued in the rate of cotton in Brazil and Central Asian states especially the rate of cotton remained stable in India where cotton is prepared in abundance from the crop of 2020-21.
Due to low cotton production over all products of 8 billion dollars will be imported. In order to fulfil the needs 80 lac bales – cotton worth 3 billion dollars – will be imported.
The price of cotton in Sindh is in between Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 10,700 per maund. The price of Phutti in Sindh is in between Rs. 4000 to Rs. 4900 per 40 kg. The price of cotton in Punjab is in between Rs. 10,300 to Rs. 11,000 per maund. The price of Phutti in Punjab is in between Rs. 4500 to 5500 per 40 kgs. Balochi cotton deals were reported in range of Rs. 11000 to rs.11500 per maund. The price of Phutti in Overall prices of cotton were in the range of USC 76~84 Lbs. (10000~11000/ maund).
| Opening Of the Week | Closing Of the Week | Change | |
| Lowest | 72.00 | 72.00 | 0.00 |
| Highest | 83.00 | 83.00 | 0.00 |
CRUDE OIL
Crude Oil prices opened at USD 52.98 with high level as compared to last week closing figures.
In this week, crude oil prices rose in next session later showed downward trend till closing and closed on negative side at the end of week.
In last day of the week, Crude Oil price closed at USD 52.27 with decrease of USD 0.71 cents as of opening figure of week.
| Opening of Week | Closing Of Week | Change | |
| Price | 52.98 | 52.27 | -0.71 |
EXCHANGE RATE
In last week values of Pak rupee fluctuated 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 positive note with figure of 1.22 and British Pound also closed on positive note with figure 1.37 against USD.
| Selling | Buying | |
| LC Sight | 160.48 | 160.43 |
| LC 120 Days | 160.19 | 160.14 |
| Open Market | 162.56 | 158.85 |
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 this week, while dropped on closing, hence closed on positive side at the end of week.
At last day of the week, MAR 2021 closed at 81.56 with upward of 41 points.
At last day of the week, MAY 2021 closed at 82.66 with rose of 59 point.
At last day of the week, JUL 2021 closed at 83.56 with increase of 72 point.
PAKISTAN YARN MARKET
Local yarn market remained bullish in term of asking prices thus limited sale was finalized during this week ended. Suppliers were good sale in hand, and asking prices remained firm due to short in yarn delivery. On the other hand, buyers were forced to buy as per their need as there was no cheap option in all region.
PSF prices was increased by Rs.3/kg by IFL in domestic market dated 18th Jan 2020. PTA, MEG prices were stable after increased prices trend of oil in international market but import polyester prices increased for CNF Karachi. For next week, prices are expected to increase further Rs.2~3/kg due to gap in demand and supply.
Faisalabad trading market was active in buying and good trade was made in all counts of cotton yarn. Fine counts demand was increased and good sale was made during last week ended. Blended yarn and PV yarn prices was also increased and good sale was reported in all counts.
Following are current asking prices of yarn in local market based on ex mills:
| Count | Price US$/Bale |
| 16/1 CD | 540 – 560 |
| 20/1 CD | 570 – 590 |
| 30/1 CD | 625 – 650 |
| 20/1 CM | 640 – 655 |
| 30/1 PC 52:48 | 485 – 515 |
| 40/1 CM | 780 – 815 |
| 60/1 CM | 1095 – 1130 |
| 80/1 CM | 1380 – 1405 |
EXPORT YARN MARKET
Export yarn market remained firm and stable with lackluster business activity as customers were on side line during week 3 .
Cotton prices in international and domestic market also remained under fluctuation by keeping the same range.
Suppliers were firm but were interested to discuss bids closed to offered prices.
Although suppliers are quite comfortable but they don’t want to miss any order and keeping close look on bids.
It is expected that prices may show slight correction in days to come if buying is stopped by all customers. Chances for this seems very less because, despite the slow business activity, suppliers are quite firm as they have good sales positions.
If we look at the Chinese customers, they are slow due to upcoming holidays and outbreak of second wave of CCOVID-19 in some parts of China. However, their government is very cautious and controlling the pandemic by keeping the infected areas closed. hence, it is expected that spread will not happen. Customers are planning for holidays and selling maximum existing stocks before holidays to get cash.
European customers kept on checking prices for normal as well as specialized yarns. After long silence, they have started sharing bids and also confirmed some business. However, they are still resisting against high asking prices.
Currently, Textile sector is facing serious challenge of shortage of Organic products. Organic yarn is short in the market and if any one is offering, they are asking very high prices for which customers are still unable to place orders.
| Count | Korea | Hong Kong | China | Japan |
| 16/1 CD | 530 – 540 | 530 – 540 | 530 – 540 | 530 – 540 |
| 20/1 CD | 550 – 560 | 550 – 560 | 550 – 560 | 550 – 560 |
| 20/1 CM | 605 – 615 | 605 – 615 | 605 – 615 | 605 – 615 |
| 30/1 CD | – | – | – | – |
| 32/1 CD HOS UNWAXED 100% COT. | – | – | – | – |
| 30/1 CM | 625 – 635 | 625 – 635 | 625 – 635 | 625 – 635 |
| 32/1 CM | 645 – 655 | 645 – 655 | 645 – 655 | 645 – 655 |
| 10/1 CD SIRO YARN FOR WEAVING | – | – | 495 – 505 | – |
PAKISTAN FABRIC MARKET
In current week under review the local fabric market showed firm and rising trend throughout the week for both narrow and wider width fabrics. Buyers floated limited inquiries in the market owing to uncertainty of the market and also rising yarn and cotton prices.
Weavers are reluctant to offer pc and cvc fabric prices as spinners are not offering pc & cvc yarns as they are expecting further increase in yarn prices in days to come.
Limited orders confirmation reported in the market due to consistent rising trend of yarn prices and also as spinners were not ready to keep their offers valid even for same day. In current scenario weavers hardly could confirm limited orders as they are resisting to sacrifice their historic high inflows / profit margins.
Currently major weavers are offering narrow width 3rd week March/end March onward and offering wider width looms by mid-April onward. Due to current yarn market trend weavers are hesitant to book bulk orders.
Local fabric prices of regular items are as follows:
| Construction | Price US$/YD Ex Mill |
| 20CDX16CD/128X60 – 63″ 3/1 ”S” TWILL PAK CTN | 1.28 – 1.30 |
| 16X12/108X56 63″ 3/1 | 1.40 – 1.42 |
| 20CDX20CD/108X58 63″ 3/1 ”S” TWILL PAK CTN | 1.04 – 1.06 |
EXPORT FABRIC MARKET
Limited number of inquiries were received from Korea, China and Bangladesh whereas Japan, Indonesia and Vietnam customers were aside of buying.
Due to rising price trend, customers are not taking interest to buy the fabric at existing prices. At the same time suppliers are unable to reduce their prices due to high raw material prices.
Currently good suppliers are booked till mid of March and offering end March onward deliveries whereas average suppliers are booked till end of Feb and offering early ~ mid March onward deliveries.
Suppliers are expecting that business activity may remain slow in coming days as customers are unable to place order at such a high prices which most of the markets are facing lock down situation due to Covid-19
Limited inquiries were exchanged by Germany, Italy and Portugal customers resultant limited order placement. Most of the customers are still working at home due to lock down situation hence their buying for wider and narrow width is slow. Most of the customers are looking for organic items but prices with normal and organic is too high hence it is difficult for customers to buy organic products at the moment.
Another factor for slow business is high prices in all cotton growing countries however some of the customers are still placing orders at current prices knowing fact that prices will remain strong during this cotton season.
USA market remained slow as no considerable business activity was witnessed.
Wider width suppliers are booked till mid April and offering end April onward deliveries. Some of the suppliers are offering even May shipments.
Following were the closing rates based on CNF Far Eastern ports:
| Construction | Price US$/YD CNF Far East |
| 20CDX16CD/128X60 – 63″ 3/1 ”S” TWILL PAK CTN | 1.28 – 1.30 |
| 16X12/108X56 63″ 3/1 | 1.40 – 1.42 |
| 20CDX20CD/108X58 63″ 3/1 ”S” TWILL PAK CTN | 1.06 – 1.08 |
BED LINEN & TOWELS
Bedding and Towels manufactures functioning with their maximum capacity and looms are booked till mid-April 2021. Business activity this week was comparatively slow to moderate due to major buying done by buyers for Christmas and New Year . Only the buying of regular orders has been done. Factories are not ready to reduce any prices in goods as prices of cotton and yarn still firm and prices of local polyester has increased in last week. However, factories are ready to negotiate for coming orders for reasonable targets.
Basic to higher thread counts such as T144 to T200 are mainly in demand but the supply of 30s and 40s yarn is not able to keep up with the demand due to shortage of cotton crop and polyester fiber being on the higher side.
GARMENTS
Garment factories in Pakistan have been busy in new developments from markets of EU, UK and US. Besides, bulk orders in hand kept them on toes to meet the agreed shipment dates.
Working on the products with recycled cotton yarn and polyester and BCI cotton were in discussion. Some of the big factories are already working in these types of products for famous global apparel brands. Suppliers are offering deliveries from end April and onward for the new inquiries coming in. Prices have been firm due to non flexible behavior of raw material prices.
GOING FORWARD
About future market of local yarn, it is expected that yarn prices will remain stable and firm due to massive demand and shortage of cotton, firm in NYCF and massive orders of finished product in Pakistan market. Further price trends will be according to demand and supply of different yarn counts which will lead price level.
In the local cotton market, firm and stable price trend was observed. Buyers showed interest in buying due to the shortage of cotton crop. It seems that prices will remain firm in coming days in local and international market.
Local fabric market remain stagnant due to high fabric prices. Customers could not make buying decision on such higher prices thus limited booking for urgent order was noticed. It is expected that demand will remain good in local market and prices will remain firm.
Market remained firm and stable for export yarn with nominal business activity. Customers remained in market and kept on checking prices against which minimal orders were confirmed.
Export fabric market for Far Eastern remained slow during the week due to high offering prices. European customers were in exchange of inquiries resultant limited orders were placed. They are facing to book organic item qualities but prices are too high compared to normal cotton thus they are not buying organic qualities at the moment. It is expected that that prices will remain firm in next week and business remain slow.
The garment sector, comfortable booking positions and upward trend of prices of raw material kept the garment factories firm in asking prices. Deliveries are available from end April onward.
For Home Textile, buyers are placing only serious orders and in coming week we are not seeing any drop in prices.
