Pakistan has suspended cotton imports from its top supplier, India, because the shipments failed to fulfil phyto-sanitary certification.
Traders say it is possible that rising hostility between the neighbours might have prompted Pakistan to restrict imports. This will help other cotton suppliers such as Brazil and the United States to increase exports to Pakistan.
“We had received some complaints regarding insects, pests, in cotton consignments imported from India, so we have sent samples for tests,” Imran Shami, director general of Pakistan’s Plant Protection Department said. “If results show non-compliance of phyto-sanitary requirements, we would have to stop the imports from India.”