US Upland cotton export sales weakened in the week ending December 25, 2025, retreating from the previous week’s levels and remaining below last year’s forward commitments, while shipment volumes continued to hold firm, according to the latest weekly export sales report from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Net Upland sales for the current marketing year reached 134,000 running bales (RB), down from 182,700 RB a week earlier, though slightly higher than the 128,900 RB recorded in the same week last year. Forward sales for the next marketing year remained limited at just 2,200 RB, reflecting ongoing caution among
Vietnam remained the top destination for US Upland cotton shipments, taking 56,100 RB, followed by Pakistan, Indonesia, Malaysia and Bangladesh. Additional volumes were shipped to China, India, Türkiye and several Latin American markets. On the sales front, Vietnam also led new bookings, though at sharply lower levels than the previous week, while Türkiye, Pakistan, China and Indonesia featured among other key buyers.
Pima cotton exports showed steady but subdued activity. Net Pima sales stood at 3,100 RB for the current marketing year, down from the previous week but higher than the same period last year. Outstanding Pima sales declined further, while cumulative exports edged up week on week but remained below last year’s total.
Overall, the USDA data suggest that although US Upland cotton sales have softened after mid-December strength, shipment momentum remains robust, keeping cumulative exports ahead of last year even as forward order books stay comparatively thin.
