Cotton futures declined by more than 1% to nearly 62 cents per pound on last Friday, pressured by thin trading activity during the US holiday period and ongoing uncertainty over global demand and supply.
Fresh USDA data showed upland cotton export sales for the week ending 9 October reached 157,600 running bales for the 2025–26 season — stronger than expected and close to last year’s levels. Market attention now turns to the delayed export sales report for the week ending 16 October, postponed due to the 43-day US government shutdown.
On the supply side, the latest crop progress report indicated the US cotton harvest is 79% complete, up from 71% last week. Although slightly behind last year’s 83%, it remains close to the five-year average of 80%.
Meanwhile, the November WASDE boosted the US production outlook by 900,000 bales, bringing the total to 14.1 million, thanks to improved yields across most cotton-growing states. Global production estimates were also raised by 2.4 million bales, adding further pressure to prices.
