Weekly trade figures for US cotton showed a notable pullback in net sales for the 2026-27 marketing year, with Upland cotton bookings falling sharply from the previous week’s elevated levels. Despite the decline, export shipments and continued purchases from key Asian markets signalled that underlying trade activity remained broadly intact.
Upland Cotton Net Sales Drop Over Half Week-on-Week
Net sales of Upland cotton for the 2026-27 marketing year came in at 95,700 running bales — each running bale weighing approximately 226.8 kilograms — marking a decline of roughly 54 per cent compared to the 209,400 running bales reported in the week prior.
Vietnam led all buyers with 19,000 running bales, which included 400 running bales switched from Indonesia. Guatemala followed with 14,400 running bales, Bangladesh with 14,000 running bales, Peru with 13,900 running bales, and India with 13,800 running bales. Partially offsetting these purchases were reductions posted for Hong Kong at 1,600 running bales and Turkiye at 700 running bales.
Forward Sales for 2027-28 Also Ease
Forward Upland cotton sales registered for the 2027-28 marketing year stood at 39,600 running bales, down from 64,900 running bales in the preceding week. Malaysia accounted for the bulk of forward commitments at 30,800 running bales, with Guatemala adding 8,800 running bales.
Upland Export Shipments Moderate but Remain Active
Upland cotton export shipments for the week declined to 181,000 running bales, compared with 222,000 running bales recorded a week earlier. Vietnam remained the largest destination, receiving 47,900 running bales. Pakistan followed with 35,300 running bales, India with 18,800 running bales, Turkiye with 15,000 running bales, and Mexico with 11,600 running bales.
The latest US cotton export data indicated slower weekly demand for Upland cotton following the stronger sales seen earlier in August. Shipments also moderated over the period, though continued purchases and deliveries to major Asian consuming markets — particularly Vietnam and India — showed that underlying trade flows remained active.
Pima Cotton Sales Decline While Shipments Rise
Net sales of Pima cotton for the 2026-27 marketing year fell to 2,100 running bales, down from 5,900 running bales in the previous weekly report. India led Pima purchases with 1,100 running bales, though this figure included reductions of 400 running bales. Turkiye and Bangladesh each bought 400 running bales, while Japan and Pakistan each purchased 100 running bales.
Pima Export Shipments Move in the Opposite Direction
In contrast to the sales decline, Pima cotton exports increased to 8,600 running bales during the week, up from 6,900 running bales in the prior period. India was the leading destination with 4,300 running bales, followed by Bangladesh with 1,300 running bales, Egypt with 1,100 running bales, and Peru and Vietnam with 900 running bales each.
The cotton weekly report reflects a broader pattern where demand from major Asian markets continues to anchor US cotton export activity, even as headline sales numbers fluctuate week to week.
