Cotton prices experiencing steady rise due to high demand in local textile and spinning mills as well as low production at Pakistan cotton market. Pakistan Cotton Ginners Association (PCGA) announced latest price of cotton on Tuesday was Rs 7,1000 after Rs100 price hike per bale.

The Karachi Cotton Association on Tuesday fixed the official spot rate, or base price, for Grade 3 cotton at 7,180 rupees per maund (40 kg). Grade 3 cotton has a staple length of 1-1/16" and micronaire value between 3.8 and 4.9 NCL (no control limits), which represents fine to coarse classes of cotton varieties.

The experts suggest that ban on growing cotton before April 15 and enforcement of section-144 are good initiatives by Punjab government which will yield good quality cotton in near future.

According to PCGA chairman Ahsan ul Haq, cotton prices have also increased in international markets. Moreover, cancellation of cotton export orders from India has resulted in its price hike.

In the kerb market, the key crop varieties traded in the range of 5,800 to 7,125 rupees per maund.