PAKISTAN COTTON MARKET
During the last week in the local cotton market, less business activity was seen and buyers remained away from buying. No domestic mill inquiries or sales were reported. Due to lackluster finished product demand. Mill buyers maintained a cautious undertone. Mills continued to produce personal protective equipment for frontline workers and consumers. Demand through export channels remained light to moderate.
Ginners have a sufficient stock with them around 7 lakh which is approximately 49 % higher than last year. Financial crunch hitting domestic market badly. Textile and Spinning Mills are in dire straits. Some mills are involved in cautious buying as per requirement. Textile mills are running at around 50% capacity. Due to the severe recession in cotton yarn and textile products stock is piling up in mills.
In the local cotton market, the price remained at the same level due to less business activity. The rate of cotton was Rs 15,000 to Rs 17,200 per maund. The price of Phutti is between Rs 5,500 and 9,000 per 40 kg. KCA was the same without any change at the level of Rs.16,500 per maund.
International cotton experts believe that between the current 2022-23 cotton season there will be a recession in cotton demand and prices and it is expected that the closing stock of cotton will continue to increase while cotton consumption will remain low and there is little hope of an increase in cotton prices. Textile mills should do business very carefully.
Prices of polyester and polyester-cotton (PC) yarn declined in India as polyester fiber prices came down. The industry is switching to polyester from cotton to operate at a limited loss or low margins. Industry sources said that the Indian textile industry is relieved due to COVID restrictions in China, which are affecting the demand for polyester products.
Spot quotations averaged 106 points higher than the previous week, according to the USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service’s Cotton and Tobacco Program. Quotations for the base quality of cotton (color 41, leaf 4, staple 34, mike 35-36 and 43-49, strength 27.0-28.9, and uniformity 81.0-81.9) in the seven designated markets averaged 81.87 cents per pound for the week ending Thursday, December 8, 2022. The weekly average was up from 80.81 cents last week and 103.61 cents reported in the corresponding period a year ago. Daily average quotations ranged from a high of 83.59 cents Tuesday, December 6 to a low of 79.85 cents Thursday, December 8. Spot transactions reported in the Daily Spot Cotton Quotations for the week ended December 8 totaled 33,937 bales. This compares to 10,715 bales reported last week and 61,645 spot
transactions reported the corresponding week a year ago. Total spot transactions for the season were 108,732 bales compared to 451,231 bales the corresponding week a year ago. The ICE March settlement price ended the week at 80.85 cents, compared to 84.85 cents last week. Spot cotton trading was moderate. Supplies and producer offerings were moderate. Demand was moderate. Average local spot prices were higher.
The rate of cotton in Sindh is between Rs 15,000 to Rs 16,500 per maund. The rate of Phutti as per quality is between Rs 6,000 to Rs 8,000 per 40 kg. In Punjab province, the price of cotton was Rs 15,500 to Rs 17,200 per maund, and the price of Phutti was Rs 7,000 to Rs,9,000 per 40 kg.
The price of Phutti was in the range of USC 0.82~0.94 Lbs. (15,000~17,200/ maund).
| Opening Of the Week | Closing Of the Week | Change | |
| Lowest | 82.00 | 82.00 | 0.00 |
| Highest | 93.00 | 94.00 | 1.00 |
CRUDE OIL
Crude Oil prices opened at USD 76.93 lower than last week’s closing figures.
This week, crude oil prices showed a downward trend and closed on the lower side by the end of the week.
On the last day of the week, Crude Oil prices closed at USD 71.02 with a decrease of USD 5.91 as of the opening figure of the week.
| Opening of Week | Closing Of Week | Change | |
| Price | 76.93 | 71.02 | -5.91 |
EXCHANGE RATE
Last week value of the Pak rupee depreciated against the US Dollar, other major currencies showed mix trend in both
interbank and open markets.
At the end of the week, Euro closed on a positive note with a figure of 1.05 and British Pound closed on a negative note
with a figure of 1.23 against the USD.
| Selling | Buying | |
| LC Sight | 223.38 | 223.33 |
| LC 120 Days | 214.69 | 214.64 |
| Open Market | 227.10 | 222.11 |
NEW YORK COTTON FUTURE
New York Cotton futures opened at a higher level on Monday as compared to the previous week’s closing figures.
NYCF showed mixed sentiment this week and closed on the lower side by the end of the week.
On the last day of the week, DEC 2022 closed at 80.80 with a decrease of 256 points.
On the last day of the week, MAR 2023 closed at 80.90 with a drop of 233 points.
On the last day of the week, MAY 2023 closed at 80.66 with a downward of 193 points.
On the last day of the week, JUL 2023 closed at 79.19 with a lower of 165 points.
LIVER POOL INDICES
Liverpool Index A opened at 103.10 a higher level than the previous week’s closing figure.
Index “A” showed a mixed sentiment trend this week and closed on the negative side by the end of the week.
On the last day of the week, LPI “A” closed at 99.95 with a decrease of 315 points.
| Opening of the Week | Closing of the Week | Change | |
| Index A | 103.10 | 99.95 | -3.15 |
PAKISTAN YARN MARKET
The local yarn market continued constant in asking prices and measured in business by the end of this week following NYCF and the local cotton market. Limited inquiries were received from the customers & only required urgent need yarn were booked. Spinning mills have primary stocks and cash concerns. Sellers were overstated to sell the yarn whereas buyers are in a lenient situation & the raw cotton prices in the Global market are followed by NYCF.
PSF prices continued stable in the domestic market during the last week ended. PTA and MEG prices remain indulgent in the international market plus the distressing of the US $ parity effect in Pak rupees on importing fiber. While crude oil prices deviated by the end of this week. For next week, PSF prices are expected to remain stable.
Faisalabad’s trading market has shown no bustle. Limited sales of PV and Viscose yarns were reported. The cash flow crunch remains preoccupied. There is less fiat for attaining further yarn. Traders were strident with their stocks and loom owners were in an intransigent position in yarn managing.
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 | 2750 – 2825 | 490 – 505 |
| 20/1 Carded Weaving | 2700 – 2875 | 485 – 515 |
| 30/1 Carded Weaving | 2975 – 3150 | 535 – 565 |
| 30/1 PC Carded Weaving 52:48 | 2400 – 2600 | 430 – 465 |
| 40/1 Combed Compact Weaving | 3600 – 3750 | 645 – 670 |
| 60/1 Combed Compact Weaving | 4700 – 5100 | 840 – 915 |
| 80/1 Combed Compact Weaving | 8150 – 8500 | 1460 – 1520 |
| 40/1 CVC Carded Weaving 60:40 | 2950 – 3100 | 530 – 555 |
EXPORT YARN MARKET
The export yarn market showed improved business activity. Customers floated good numbers of inquiries against which order materialization was also better as compared with the last couple of weeks.
Customers are now taking decisions and placing orders after tough negotiations with suppliers. If we analyzed over all market conditions, demand has shown improvement as there has been good buying witnessed.
Many suppliers who planned to close their production due to tough market sentiments are now coming back to start their production. This is also a positive sign for the industry as people are taking a sigh of relief.
Chinese customers kept on checking prices as a good number of inquiries were received. This week, improved business activity has been noticed from Chinese customer.
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 | 515 – 520 |
| 20/1 Carded Weaving | 525 – 530 |
| 20/1 CM | 590 – 595 |
| 16/1 CM | 585 – 590 |
| 20/2 CD | 600 – 605 |
| 24/2 CD | 625 – 630 |
| 10/1 CARDED SIRO YARN WEAVING | 450 – 480 |
PAKISTAN FABRIC MARKET
The local fabric market remained dull throughout the week for both narrow and wider-width fabrics.
Local finishers remained sideline however traders and small buyers shared limited inquiries and resultantly limited buying was observed both in narrow and wider-width fabrics.
Weavers remained desperate to extend their booking and therefore tried their best to capture the floating orders and follow each and every inquiry for any reasonable bid to extend their current booking.
Currently, weavers are booked in narrow width till 3rd week of December and covered their wider width looms till the end of December’22 /early January’23 and offering onward deliveries. Weavers have booked their special looms till early January’23 ~ Mid-January’23.
| Construction | Price US$/YD Ex Mill |
| 16CDX12CD / 108X56 – 63″ 3/1 “S” TWILL PAK CTN | 1.41 – 1.43 |
| 20CDX16CD / 128X60 – 63″ 3/1 “S” TWILL PAK CTN | 1.31 – 1.33 |
| 20CDX20CD / 108X58 – 63″ 3/1 “S” TWILL PAK CTN | 1.09 – 1.11 |
EXPORT FABRIC MARKET
Far Eastern customers are not into buying for the last couple of weeks as most of the dyeing units are operating partially due to less demand from their end customers.
Asking prices were stable as raw material prices were stable. Suppliers are approaching their customers to raise inquiries but the situation is not good at all.
Some of the suppliers have their sales for the next 30~35 days but most of the suppliers can start production within two weeks.
European customers are active nowadays as they have placed a good quantity of orders. Suppliers have received good orders from Germany, Italy, and Spain both in a narrow and wider width.
Limited inquiries were received from USA market resultant limited buying was witnessed during the week. Business in whites was good for European customers as they have placed decent quantities with their selected suppliers.
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 | 1.38 – 1.40 |
| 20CDX16CD / 128X60 – 63″ 3/1 “S” TWILL PAK CTN | 1.28 – 1.30 |
| 20CDX20CD / 108X58 – 63″ 3/1 “S” TWILL PAK CTN | 1.06 – 1.08 |
BED LINEN & TOWELS
After two years of unprecedented profitability, Pakistan’s textiles and home textiles exports are facing a strong demand downturn as consumers tighten their belts in the US, Europe, and other markets. But Pakistani textile manufacturers aren’t the only ones experiencing this gloomy situation; the orders in the world’s every home textile exporting country,
including China, India, and Bangladesh, have been slowing because of the Ukraine war’s impact on price inflation, interest rates, and energy markets worldwide.
This week also the business activity is quite slow and forecasting the same trend will continue till early next year. The manufacturers are busy in preparation for Heimtextil and there is a hope to have some placements in Pakistan after Heimtextil.
GARMENTS
Overall Pakistan’s apparel industry is facing an uneven time due to fewer orders in hand. Many factories facing a hard situation and not running at their 100% capacities. Due to inflation and recession, many small units failed to sustain themselves and collapsed. The overall global demand is getting less and especially from US and EU markets they have cut down their demand.
Even some customers have their garment stock and they couldn’t properly utilize it due to less demand. Therefore, buyers are very cautious about future bulk purchasing. Some orders were placed by the buyers in very small quantities. However, FW23 bulk placement is expected by end of this quarter or early 2023. On the other hand, customers have started placing SS24 developments, the initial work begins which is a healthy sign.
There are lesser inquiries market but for those inquiries, factories are offering deliveries from January onwards. Raw material price fluctuations are consistent but they impact garment prices.
GOING FORWARD
About the upcoming market, it is evaluated that cotton prices will lead to local yarn prices and remain under sale pressure due to limited demand & oversupply. Further price liking will be according to the market and source of dissimilar yarn counts, leading to the price level.
No local mill inquiries or sales were reported in cotton. Some mills delayed deliveries of raw cotton or reduced operating schedules due to lackluster finished product demand. Mill buyers maintained a cautious undertone.
Mills continued to produce personal protective equipment for frontline workers and consumers. Demand through export channels remained light to moderate and dullness prevailed.
For the coming weeks, we expect the market to remain range bound with slow sentiments for local fabric. The export yarn market is getting better day by day with improved demand from customers as it seems its rock bottom prices levels. So, customers are now placing orders after negotiations with their selected suppliers.
Far Eastern markets are still quiet however European markets are active as they are placing decent quantities. Suppliers are expecting good orders in days to come before the Christmas holidays. Prices remained stable due to stable raw material prices.
The apparel industry of Pakistan facing a hard time in terms of receiving orders and factories are unable to fill
their capacities. As stocks in the Home Textile are built up with retailers so business activity is on the slower side and demand can only be determined after Christmas/ New year break, it is expected that this trend will be continued till
Quarter 1 of 2023.
