Karachi: Recent data released by JS Global shows a significant year-over-year decrease in Pakistan’s cotton arrivals during the first four months of FY25, alongside a substantial increase in oil marketing company (OMC) sales in October 2024. The contrasting trends highlight pivotal shifts in Pakistan's agricultural and energy sectors.

According to JS Global, cotton arrivals in Pakistan have decreased by 37% in the July-October period compared to the same timeframe last year, with arrivals in Punjab and Sindh dropping by 39% and 36%, respectively. This downturn is part of a longer-term trend, with predictions suggesting that the total arrivals for FY25 will fall to 6.22 million bales. In contrast, OMC sales rose by 18% year-over-year in October, driven by a 22% increase in high-speed diesel (HSD) sales, often used by farmers for crop sowing, which coincides with the preparation for the Rabi cropping season.

The report further highlights that Pakistan State Oil (PSO), alongside other key players like APL, SHEL, and HASCOL, has seen varying degrees of sales increases, with PSO leading in both Motor Spirit (MS) and HSD sales. The surge in OMC sales is juxtaposed against a challenging backdrop in the agriculture sector, exacerbated by decreased cotton production which remains a critical concern for the textile-driven economy.