KARACHI: Renewed buying interest was witnessed on the cotton market on Tuesday as spinners sought to replenish their stocl(s, paying premium price for good lint. However, trading could not expand due to shortage of quality cotton. Consequently, prices remained on the higher side which also discouraged buying at large scale.

Due to high cotton prices, phutti (seed cotton) prices moved higher and were beingquotedintherange of Rs2,900-3,300 for Sindh quality and Rs3,000-3,400 for Punjab variety.

Higher cotton yarn prices were also adversely impact-ing yarn market as they threaten value-added textile industry`s viability.

Meanwhile, exporters of textile goods are complaining that they have not received a single penny so far from the Rs180 billion incentive package announcedin Januarythisyear.

The spinners are eagerly waiting for government`sdecision of lifting import ban on Indian cotton. This will ensure early arrival of cotton from neighbouring country but also get cotton at competitive price with lesserfreightcharges.

The world leading cotton markets were firm with New York witnessing some profit-selling after prices touchedpeakhighlevellastweek.

The Karachi Cotton Association (KCA) spot rates were steady at overnight level.

The following major deals were reported to have changed hands on ready counter: 2,000 bales, Saleh Pat, at Rs6,550 to Rs6,800; 1,000 bales, Mianwali, at Rs7,000; 400 bales, Rahimyar Khan, at Rs7,000; 1,000 bales, Sadigabad, at Rs7,000; 400 bales, Bahawalpur, at Rs6,600; 400 bales, Maroot, at Rs6,675; 6,000 bales, Khanpur, at Rs6,950; 600 bales, Mian Channu, at Rs6,550 to Rs6,600; 800 bales, Yazman, at Rs6,600; 600 bales, Fazilpur, at Rs6,950; and 400 bales, Sanghar, at Rs6,150.