"With the situation on field as of today, the gross ex-farm production was estimated at 10.6 million bales," said a government-appointed Cotton Crop Assessment Committee.

The committee, which includes officials and nominees from the private sector, said the reason for lowering the output projection was excessive rains in the southern Sindh province that has caused loss of yield.

"In Sindh it (recent rains) may cause a yield loss of eight to 10 per cent," the committee said.

The rains were beneficial for the crop in central Punjab province, the major cotton producer, but fresh crop arrivals from the province would be delayed by 15 to 20 days, it said.

"In Punjab, crop was reportedly normal and if saved from any flare up of Heliothes (disease) due to humid weather it was expected to be 8.5 million balesex-farm," it said. Sindh province was now likely to obtain 2.1 million bales ex-farm production, it said.