PAKISTAN COTTON MARKET
During the last week in the local cotton market, improve business activity was seen due to the further rising fear in prices internationally, however international prices showed a slight downward trend. Markets and buyers remained confused due to the less demand for textile products. Although, inquiries were improved business materialization wasn’t improved.
Buyers are expecting that international prices may reduce in the coming days as the rise was only based on speculations. China bought a handsome quantity of US cotton and the weakness of the US index caused the rose of prices, but in actuality, there was no demand for the textile items.
Ginners have a stock with them, but the rose in international prices didn’t help and ginners are facing a continuous loss. They have had old stock with higher prices with them.
In the local cotton market, the price showed firmness this week although a slightly upward trend was also observed, the price rose 500~1000 this week. The rate of cotton was Rs 15,000 to Rs 18,500 per maund. The price of Phutti is between Rs 5,500 and 9,000 per 40 kg. KCA increased Rs. 200 and came at the level of Rs.17,200 per maund.
Cotton prices will rally for yet another week, although at a slower pace and in lighter volume. Since falling to a low of 70.21 on October 31, December futures have rebounded fifteen cents closing Friday at 85.16 While doing so it managed to drag both March and May futures with it each settling at 83.78 and 83.07, respectively. In a week filled with contentious outside noise, any gains are deemed impressive.
After a drastic fall in cotton production in the last season, India cannot expect a bumper crop in 2022-23. Recent industry estimates projected a decline in production in north India due to low productivity. However, Gujarat’s crop has compensated for north India’s loss. The Cotton Association of India (CAI) has maintained production estimates at 344 lakh bales of 170 kg for the market year (MY) 2022-23.
High inflation across the developed world has reduced consumers’ purchasing capacity, which is the main cause of the slowdown in textiles and apparel exports. Developing countries including Pakistan & India are facing serious challenges in textiles exports.
The rate of cotton in Sindh is between Rs 15,000 to Rs 17,500 per maund. The rate of Phutti as per quality is between Rs 5,000 to Rs 7,500 per 40 kg. In Punjab province, the price of cotton was Rs 15,500
to Rs 18,500 per maund, and the price of Phutti was Rs 6,000 to Rs,9,000 per 40 kg.
The price of Phutti was in the range of USC 0.82~1.02 Lbs. (15,000~18,500/ maund).
| Opening Of the Week | Closing Of the Week | Change | |
| Lowest | 82.00 | 80.00 | -2.00 |
| Highest | 96.00 | 102.00 | 6.00 |
CRUDE OIL
Crude Oil prices opened at USD 85.87 a lower level as compared to last week’s closing figures.
This week, crude oil prices rose the next day, later showed a downward trend in this week and closed on the negative side by the end.
On the last day of the week, Crude Oil prices closed at USD 80.08 with a decrease of USD 5. as of the opening figure of the week.
| Opening of Week | Closing Of Week | Change | |
| Price | 85.87 | 80.08 | -5.79 |
EXCHANGE RATE
Last week value of the Pak rupee depreciated against US Dollar, other significant currencies showed mix trend in both interbank and open markets.
At the end of the week, Euro closed on a negative note with a figure of 1.03 and British Pound closed on a positive note with a figure of 1.19 against the USD.
| Selling | Buying | |
| LC Sight | 221.64 | 221.59 |
| LC 120 Days | 213.62 | 213.57 |
| Open Market | 225.33 | 220.37 |
NEW YORK COTTON FUTURE
New York Cotton futures opened at a lower level on Monday as compared to the previous week’s closing figures.
NYCF rose on the next day, later showed a downward trend in this week and December closed on the lower side, while others closed on the higher side by the end of the week.
On the last day of the week, DEC 2022 closed at 85.16 with a decrease of 12 points.
On the last day of the week, MAR 2023 closed at 83.78 with a rose of 16 points.
On the last day of the week, MAY 2023 closed at 83.07 with an upward of 57 points.
On the last day of the week, JUL 2023 closed at 83.02 with a surge of 145 points.
LIVER POOL INDICES
Liverpool Index A opened at 103.55, the same level as the previous week’s closing figure.
Index “A” showed a mixed trend throughout the week and closed on the positive side by the end of the week.
On the last day of the week, LPI “A” closed at 104.05 with an increase of 50 points.
| Opening of the Week | Closing of the Week | Change | |
| Index A | 103.55 | 105.40 | 1.85 |
PAKISTAN YARN MARKET
The local yarn market sustained a stable in asking prices and measured in business by the end of this week following NYCF and the local cotton market and limited inquiry flow from customers. Spinning mills were carrying stocks offered on momentous counts by spinners and had cash flow worries. Sellers were aggravated to sell the yarn. Whereas buyers are in a quiet position & NYCF follows the raw cotton prices in the Global market.
PSF prices stayed stable in the domestic market during the last week ended. PTA and MEG prices remain indulgent in the international market plus the settling of the US $ parity effect in Pak rupees on importing fiber.
At the same time, crude oil prices continued to be inflexible by the end of this week. For next week, PSF prices are expected to remain stable.
Faisalabad trading market was slothful and limited business was seen. The yarn was not as much in demand and had no substantial sales of PV and Viscose yarns. The cash flow system remains thoughtful. At the same time, Traders were embraced with their stocks.
The followings are the latest querying prices of yarn in the local market based on ex-mills:
| Count | Price in Pak Rupees / 10 LBS | Price US$/Bale |
| 16/1 Carded Weaving | 2880 – 2960 | 520 – 535 |
| 20/1 Carded Weaving | 2900 – 3050 | 525 – 550 |
| 30/1 Carded Weaving | 3190 – 3270 | 575 – 590 |
| 20/1 CM | 3550 – 3660 | 640 – 660 |
| 30/1 PC Carded Weaving 52:48 | 2550 – 2720 | 460 – 490 |
| 40/1 Combed Compact Weaving | 3825 – 4000 | 690 – 720 |
| 60/1 Combed Compact Weaving | 5020 – 5380 | 905 – 970 |
| 80/1 Combed Compact Weaving | 8150 – 8340 | 1470 – 1505 |
EXPORT YARN MARKET
The export yarn market showed improved business activity as compared with previous weeks. Customers floated good numbers of inquiries however the limited business materialized. This week, prices showed firm sentiment due to the stable trend in international cotton prices. Customers were holding their buying for the last couple of weeks in anticipation of further decline in prices. Still, they are silent after the increase in prices.
However, It seems that markets will show betterment in days to come as customers are sharing their demands now to close some businesses where they match the required prices.
Suppliers are facing problems due to the non-availability of the orders; they are keenly interested to sell yarn against reasonable target prices. customers are now sharing some firm demands and prices are under negotiation with suppliers. So, we might see placements after negotiations of prices in days to come. Pakistani suppliers are trying to restart production for those units that were closed earlier and it is expected that improved business activity will support them in days to come. Chinese customers kept on checking prices as a good number of inquiries were received. This week, improved business activity has been noticed by Chinese suppliers. European customers floated a good number of inquiries. Some orders in normal and specialized yarns were also matured at improved price levels.
| Count | USD / Bale |
| 16/1 Carded Weaving | 550 – 555 |
| 20/1 Carded Weaving | 560 – 565 |
| 20/1 CM | 610 – 615 |
| 16/1 CM | 600 – 610 |
| 20/2 CD | 640 – 645 |
| 24/2 CD | 680 – 685 |
| 10/1 CARDED SIRO YARN WEAVING | 480 – 500 |
PAKISTAN FABRIC MARKET
In the current week under review, the local fabric market remained silent for another week for both narrow and wider-width fabrics.
Finishers did not show interest in buying and opted to stay sideline throughout the week. Weavers received limited inquiries with limited quantities Resultantly dull and limited business materialization reported in the market for both narrow and wider-width fabrics.
Weavers are showing their desperation in getting orders and following buyers for orders and any reasonable bid to keep their looms running.
Currently, weavers are booked in narrow width till early December and covered their wider width looms till Mid ~ 3rd week of December’22 and offering onward deliveries. Weavers have booked their special looms till the end of December.
Following are the Ex-factory prices:
| Construction | Price US$/YD Ex Mill |
| 16CDX12CD / 108X56 – 63″ 3/1 “S” TWILL PAK CTN | 1.42 – 1.44 |
| 20CDX16CD / 128X60 – 63″ 3/1 “S” TWILL PAK CTN | 1.32 – 1.34 |
| 20CDX20CD / 108X58 – 63″ 3/1 “S” TWILL PAK CTN | 1.10 – 1.12 |
EXPORT FABRIC MARKET
Far Eastern markets remained aside from buying during the week. Customers are keeping too much in stock as well as there is almost no demand hence, they are not into buying nowadays. The asking prices were the same as last week with minor fluctuation.
Suppliers are going through a difficult situation as they are hardly able to run their looms due to less demand in general. The deliveries are available within 30 days from the order confirmation.
A limited number of inquiries were received from European customers resulting in limited buying during the week both in narrow and wider-width fabrics.
Wider-width suppliers are offering the lowest possible prices just to get the orders even then customers are placing only their urgent orders.
PC and CVC yarn prices were almost stable hence work wear articles are at the same price as last week.
There are almost no inquiries from the USA market during the week.
Following are the closing rates based on CNF Far Eastern ports:
| Construction | Price US$/YD CNF Far East |
| 16CDX12CD / 108X56 – 63″ 3/1 “S” TWILL PAK CTN | 1.40 – 1.42 |
| 20CDX16CD / 128X60 – 63″ 3/1 “S” TWILL PAK CTN | 1.30 – 1.32 |
| 20CDX20CD / 108X58 – 63″ 3/1 “S” TWILL PAK CTN | 1.08 – 1.10 |
BED LINEN & TOWELS
The home textile business is slow and it is expected to remain the same till 1st Quarter of 2023, whole
the industry is looking for Christmas and Thanksgiving sales volume to foresee the future demand for goods.
There is slight activity going on in the industry and all are expecting to have some order flow in late
November / early December.
GARMENTS
Pakistan’s garment industry is facing a tough time due to a lack of orders. Most factories are not running at their 100% capacity. Some small units are even closed as they do not have orders to fill their production. The main reason is low demand from customers overall from the EU and US markets.
Most customers have garment stocks that could not be sold out as anticipated. High inflation globally and recession kept the buyers cautious about further bulk buying. Only a few small volume orders were placed by some buyers. FW23 developments by some customers are in progress.
At the same time, some customers have also started working on color charts for their SS24 season. Factories have orders for the SS23 season which will be delivered by mid-Dec. For the new inquiries, they can work out deliveries for January onwards. Raw material prices showed a little bit of fluctuation but that did not impact garment prices offering as the factories find those changes only for the time being.
Most customers now require eco-friendly products and factories in Pakistan do have not all the arrangements and certifications to offer sustainable products as per customers’ requirements.
GOING FORWARD
Regarding the upcoming market, textile products are in lower demand, mills are struggling to get orders, and most mills are just partially operational or shuttered globally. As a result, the suppliers and mills are under a lot of strain due to the low demand. Until the disputes over the economies and inflation are resolved, it appears that the market will stay dull for a few more months. It appears that cotton prices won’t increase any higher and could stay the same at these levels over the next few days.
While orders from consumers in the Far East are scarce, few orders came from those in Europe. Prices are steady because raw material costs are steady. In the coming weeks, there should be a slow demand as well.
