Uncertainty of U. S. Cotton Crop Extends Dull Market
It was a good week for cotton.
The market settled 126 points higher at 68.68 cents, basis the December 2025 ICE contract. The market pushed above 69 cents several times during the week’s trading but was unable to hold that level at the close. Nevertheless, prices remain caught in a very narrow 250-to-325-point trading range in an otherwise rather dull market.
Market Movement from 14th Jul 2025 to 19th Jul 2025.
• Supported by strong job data and a firm tone in the outside markets, NY futures crossed 69 cents but failed to break the psychological barrier of 70 cents. However, poor export sales pulled the market back into the current range. Despite this, NY December futures still managed to close the week with a gain of 126 points W/W.
Cotton prices edged higher this week but remained in the same old range. With just weeks left in the marketing year and broader markets gaining momentum, will the quiet persist, or is this merely the calm before the storm? Get QuickTake’s read on the week’s events in five minutes.
COTTON: The July U.S. cotton balance sheet for 2025/26 shows higher production and ending stocks, lower beginning stocks, and unchanged consumption and imports compared to last month. Planted area is raised to 10.12 million acres based on the NASS June Acreage report. Harvested area is increased 6 percent to 8.66 million acres, reflecting higher planted area along with lower abandonment in the Southwest that is partially offset by higher abandonment in the Southeast.