Cloth Prices Drop in Local Market, Shoppers Show Interest
Faisalabad – July 2025
In a surprising yet welcome development, cloth prices in Faisalabad’s famous cloth markets have dropped significantly, attracting a large number of buyers from across the city and surrounding areas. This sudden decrease in fabric rates has come as a relief to both individual consumers and small-scale garment manufacturers who were previously struggling with high material costs.
Faisalabad, widely recognized as Pakistan’s textile powerhouse, plays a central role in the country’s fabric and garment production. The city’s markets, such as Jhang Bazaar, Rail Bazaar, and Katchery Bazaar, are always bustling with activity. But in recent weeks, the excitement has grown even more as price tags on many popular fabric types have taken a dip.
Reasons Behind the Price Drop
Local traders and market analysts have shared multiple reasons for this unexpected reduction in prices:
- Overstock from Last Season:
Many shopkeepers stocked extra cloth ahead of Eid and the wedding season, expecting higher sales. However, the economic slowdown caused lower demand, leaving vendors with large unsold stocks. - Import Relief:
The government has recently allowed the import of certain textile items at lower customs duties, which has increased competition and pushed local sellers to reduce their prices. - Low Sales Pressure:
With inflation affecting everyday spending, fewer people were buying new clothes. As a result, sellers were forced to offer discounts to encourage purchases. - Increased Production:
Textile mills in Faisalabad have increased their output after a stable power supply was restored in June. This rise in production means more availability of cloth in the market, causing prices to come down.
Types of Fabrics Affected
According to market vendors, cotton, lawn, cambric, and blended fabrics are now selling at much lower rates compared to a few months ago. For example:
- Cotton fabric that was previously selling at Rs. 350 per meter is now available at Rs. 250.
- Lawn fabric, especially unstitched pieces, has seen a Rs. 100–150 reduction per suit.
- Blended materials used for school uniforms and casual wear have also become cheaper by 15–20%.
These reductions are being welcomed by customers, particularly housewives and tailors who are preparing clothes for the upcoming wedding season and school reopening.
Shoppers React with Joy
In various cloth markets, long queues of customers can now be seen bargaining, choosing fabric, and enjoying the new prices. Shabana Bibi, a local housewife, said:
“It’s the first time in over a year that I’m able to buy good-quality fabric without worrying about my budget. I bought three suits today, and still saved money.”
Similarly, Abdul Rauf, a tailor who runs a small stitching shop in Ghulam Muhammadabad, shared:
“We’re getting more customers because fabric is cheaper. People are bringing cloth for stitching, which is helping my business grow again.”
Impact on Local Textile Businesses
Although buyers are pleased, some shopkeepers are not sharing the same joy. Some vendors say the drop in prices is eating into their profit margins. Others argue that it’s better to sell at lower prices than to hold onto a stock that may not sell at all.
Rashid Ali, who owns a wholesale fabric shop, explained:
“The market is slow. Even if we sell at less profit, it keeps the business running. If things stay this way, we hope for better overall sales volume.”
Textile mill owners, however, believe that the current trend will balance out soon. They say the temporary price drop is a good way to clear stock and stimulate demand, but prices may rise again by August once Eid and the wedding season preparations begin.
Experts Call It a Temporary Shift
Economists and industry experts view the situation as temporary and not a permanent shift in textile pricing. According to Dr. Usman Tariq, a textile industry analyst:
“Faisalabad’s textile market is influenced by global cotton prices, energy costs, and local demand. This price drop is seasonal. Buyers should take advantage while it lasts.”
Government’s Role and Future Outlook
The local administration in Faisalabad has also praised the traders for reducing prices voluntarily. Deputy Commissioner Imran Qureshi recently visited Rail Bazaar and stated:
“It’s good to see market forces working in favor of the public. We will continue to ensure fair pricing and prevent hoarding or black marketing.”
Looking ahead, many shoppers and businesses are hopeful that this trend will continue through the rest of summer. However, much will depend on inflation, cotton production, and the global textile market in the coming months.
Conclusion
The drop in fabric prices in Faisalabad has brought much-needed relief to the public and helped increase activity in the city’s markets. While traders face a challenge in managing profits, the current wave of buyer enthusiasm is breathing life back into local commerce.
