Prices at the cotton market remained firm during the post holiday session on Saturday, dealers said. According to the market sources, holiday mood persisted as almost all participants were busy in exchanging Eid greetings.

The official spot rate was unchanged at Rs 5,800, while in Sindh and Punjab, prices of seed cotton were at Rs 2700-3100, per 40 kg, respectively.

In ready business, around 1000 bales of cotton changed hands between Rs 6050 and Rs 6100, dealers said.

As per cotton analyst, Naseem Usman, prices were firm in line with international track in the local market. Trading activity may pick up in coming days, but it is most likely that rates may not move up sharply as a result of expected rise in phutti supply with the passage of time.

Pakistan’s 2016-17 cotton production is forecast at 8 million 480-pound bales, down a million bales from USDA’s June estimate, according to a U.S. agricultural attaché report.