Cotton Prices Dip Ahead of the Extended Weekend

Cotton Market Update: Weekly Performance and Key Figures

Cotton futures ended Friday with a decline of 15 to 20 points, though the March contract managed to secure a 105-point gain over the week. Crude oil prices slipped by 3 cents per barrel, closing at $62.81, while the US dollar index edged down by $0.067 to 96.770. Please note, markets will remain closed on Monday in observance of President’s Day.

Export Commitments and USDA Data

The latest USDA Export Sales report indicates that cotton export commitments have reached 8.034 million running bales, which is 12% lower than the same period last year. This figure represents 71% of the USDA’s updated export forecast, lagging behind the typical 88% average pace.

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Market Positions and Price Indicators

According to CFTC data for the week ending February 10, speculators increased their net short positions by 3,856 contracts. As of Tuesday, managed money held a net short position totaling 75,602 contracts.

The Seam reported sales of 15,617 bales on February 12, with an average price of 57.90 cents per pound. The Cotlook A Index rose by 25 points on Thursday, reaching 73.55 cents. ICE certified cotton stocks increased by 3,808 bales on February 12, bringing the total to 106,040 bales. The Adjusted World Price was reduced to 49.39 cents per pound on Thursday afternoon, a decrease of 39 points from the previous week.

Recent Cotton Futures Settlements

• March 2026 Cotton settled at 62.11, down 18 points
• May 2026 Cotton closed at 64.13, down 20 points
• July 2026 Cotton ended at 65.82, down 16 points