How is the phutti (seed cotton) rate decided? Kapas vs phutti vs lint, and how to get a better price
In cotton season every farmer asks the same question: what is the phutti rate today? Why do two farmers in the same mandi get different rates on the same day? This article explains in simple words what decides the price of seed cotton and how you can get a better price.
Kapas, phutti and rui: what is the difference?
- Kapas: the cotton crop or plant. In the mandi the kapas rate usually means the phutti rate
- Phutti: seed cotton as picked from the field, with the seed (binola). This is what the farmer sells, priced per 40 kg
- Rui: the white lint left after the ginning factory removes the seed. It has its own rate
- Binola: the cottonseed, used for oil and oil cake
So phutti = lint + seed. Roughly a third of 40 kg of phutti comes out as lint and most of the rest is seed. That is why the phutti rate moves with lint and cottonseed prices.
What decides the phutti rate?
- Moisture: wet phutti weighs more, so buyers deduct or pay less
- Trash: leaves, boll shells, soil and dirt lower the price
- Colour: clean white phutti fetches more than yellow or stained phutti
- Fibre length and strength: a good variety and healthy crop give better fibre
- Picking: early pickings are usually better than the last ones
- Demand from ginners and the local and world lint price
Seven ways to get a better price
- Dry the phutti well in the shade before selling
- Pick into clean cloth and keep out leaves, soil, plastic string and hair
- Keep good and weak phutti separate; do not mix them
- Ask two or three aarhtis for their rate before selling
- Watch the weighing yourself and ask about any deduction in advance
- Follow the daily rate to see if prices are rising or falling
- Post your phutti with photos in Kisan Bazar so more buyers contact you
Where to see today's phutti rate
On Bahawalpur Kisan, aarhtis post their own rates with variety and grade: cotton rate today, Yazman mandi cotton rate, Hasilpur mandi cotton rate and Ahmedpur East mandi cotton rate. Each rate shows the aarhti phone number so you can confirm directly.
Note: general information only. Agree the rate and deduction terms with your aarhti before selling.
Image is illustrative.
All news