News and Articles

• ICE December cotton traded near 80.19 cents per pound in the midday session on October 8
• United States weekly cotton export sales fell 18.51 percent to about 165,070 running bales
• Cotlook A index rose 25 points to 91.70 cents per pound on October 7
• United States crop condition rated 33 percent good to excellent with harvest at 23 percent
• Rain in West Texas raised quality concerns for open bolls during the first week of October

ICE cotton futures held a firm tone through the first full trading week of October 2026, with the December contract trading between the 75.50 and 82.40 cent per pound range as traders balanced slower weekly United States export sales against supportive crop and weather signals. On October 7, cotton edged higher on chart based buying, with the December contract tracking in a mixed to up pattern. The following session saw a wider move, with midday prices on October 8 showing December cotton at about 80.19 cents per pound, up 16 points, while the near month October contract gave back about 118 points to around 76.30 cents.

United States export performance moved to the center of the price story. Weekly United States export sales for the week ending October 1 reached about 165,070 running bales, down 18.51 percent from the prior week. New crop sales for the 2027 to 2028 marketing year came in at about 56,058 running bales. Shipments ran at about 161,588 running bales, up from the previous week and about 2.45 percent above the same period a year earlier. The Seam reported bilateral sales of 1,421 bales on October 7 at an average of 75.75 cents per pound, while the Cotlook A index rose 25 points to 91.70 cents per pound on October 7. The Adjusted World Price for United States cotton eased 93 points to 65.16 cents per pound late in the week.

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Weather and harvest flow remained supportive. Cooler temperatures and rains were expected across the United States cotton belt, especially in West Texas, which interrupted harvest progress and raised concerns about quality in open bolls. The United States Department of Agriculture crop condition rating stood at 33 percent good to excellent, with harvest at about 23 percent complete and 74 percent of bolls open heading into the second week of October.

Cross market factors added a layer of texture. Crude oil moved higher by about 3 dollars per barrel on October 8, reducing the near term competitiveness of polyester fibers against cotton. A firmer United States dollar kept international cotton offers under pressure, with buyers in China, Vietnam, Bangladesh, and Pakistan running hand to mouth purchase patterns. ICE certified cotton stocks remained unchanged at about 17,756 bales on October 7.

For procurement teams in textile mills, apparel brands, and home furnishing supply chains, the near term action is to secure November and December cotton coverage at current spot levels. Spinners in South and Southeast Asia should confirm forward volume contracts with United States, Brazilian, and West African suppliers before harvest logistics tighten. Garment and brand sourcing teams should stress test fourth quarter cost models against a scenario where December cotton consolidates between 78 and 84 cents per pound through the end of October.