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ICE cotton drops 1% on Middle East war, stronger US dollar

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ICE cotton drops 1% on Middle East war, stronger US dollar



Cotton futures on Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) fell by more than 1 per cent yesterday, pressured by escalating tensions in the Middle East and a stronger US dollar. The dollar climbed to a one-month high, making US cotton more expensive for overseas buyers. The stronger currency, combined with geopolitical uncertainty, dampened demand, and weighed on prices.

May 2026 cotton settled at 64.59 cents per pound, down 1.02 cents. This marked the lowest settlement price for May contract since February 20, effectively erasing all gains made over that period.

Cotton futures on Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) fell over 1 per cent, with May 2026 settling at 64.59 cents/lb, the lowest since Feb 20, amid Middle East tensions and a stronger US dollar.
Rising inventories and risk aversion pressured prices.
Speculators cut net shorts, while crude oil surged.
ICE cotton traded mixed in early Indian hours today.

Total trading volume for the session came in at 73,225 contracts. ICE-certified deliverable No. 2 cotton inventory rose to 126,178 bales as of February 26, up from 119,457 bales the previous trading day.

The US dollar climbed to its highest level in over a month, making dollar-denominated commodities like cotton more expensive for international buyers and reducing export demand.

Market analysts stated that the Middle East conflict is putting significant pressure on cotton and that a broader risk-aversion tone is affecting the market.

On March 2, Iran continued launching attacks on US military bases across multiple countries in the Middle East, with explosions reported in several locations. An advisor to the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander announced that the Strait of Hormuz had been closed, with Iran threatening to strike any vessels attempting to pass through it.

US President Trump indicated that military action against Iran could last four to five weeks, while also expressing readiness for operations to extend considerably longer.

Major Wall Street indices declined on Monday as the conflict raised fears of disrupted global trade routes and renewed inflationary pressures. Analysts warned that investors appear to be rebuilding short positions in cotton, suggesting continued downward price pressure in the near term. The earlier May contract low of 62.86 cents per pound as a key support level that could be tested again.

CFTC data released the prior Friday showed that speculators reduced their net short positions in ICE cotton futures and options by 26,508 contracts in the week ending February 24, bringing net shorts to 48,922 contracts.

International crude oil and natural gas prices surged sharply on Monday following US and Israeli strikes on Iran, with retaliatory actions forcing the closure of several energy facilities in the region.

This morning (Indian Standard Time), ICE cotton for May 2026 was traded at 64.75 cents per pound (up 0.16 cent), cash cotton at 62.59 cents (down 1.02 cent), the March 2026 contract at 62.59 cents ((down 1.02 cent)), the July 2026 contract at 66.75 cents (up 0.14 cent), the October 2026 contract at 68.18 cents (down 0.49 cent) and the December 2026 at 69.04 cents (up 0.12 cent). A few contracts remained at their previous closing levels, with no trading recorded so far today.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KUL)



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European Commission, Switzerland sign broad package of agreements

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European Commission, Switzerland sign broad package of agreements



European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Swiss President Guy Parmelin yesterday signed a broad package of agreements aimed at deepening and expanding European Union (EU)-Switzerland ties.

The package establishes a modern framework for both sides, enabling frictionless access to a market of 460 million consumers in key sectors, delivering economic benefits to both parties.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Swiss President Guy Parmelin yesterday signed a broad package of agreements aimed at deepening and expanding EU-Switzerland ties.
By aligning standards and rules in closely integrated areas, it will provide legal certainty, simplify trade in goods like medical devices and food products, and ease cross-border supply for businesses on both sides.

By aligning standards and rules in closely integrated areas, it will provide legal certainty, simplify trade in goods like medical devices and food products, and ease cross-border supply for businesses on both sides of the border.

Additionally, it will ensure more consistent rules for individuals who live, work or study across the EU-Swiss border. Switzerland will contribute to the development of legislation in the areas covered by the package and will have the opportunity to influence these rules as they are being designed.

“By modernising and deepening our ties across key sectors, from trade and transport to health and energy—we are strengthening legal certainty, fostering innovation and creating new opportunities for our citizens and businesses,” von der Leyen said in a release from the Commission.

The package includes updates to four already existing agreements, which already give Switzerland access to the EU internal market, regarding air transport, land transport, the free movement of persons and mutual recognition of conformity assessment.

New agreements on food safety, electricity, health and Switzerland’s participation in the EU Agency for the Space Programme were signed. A new agreement introduced a permanent and fair financial contribution by Switzerland to economic and social cohesion within the EU.

Apart from a protocol on parliamentary cooperation, the package includes also a joint declaration on the establishment of a high-level dialogue on the broad bilateral package.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)



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Iran conflict sends apparel freight rates soaring on US & EU routes

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Iran conflict sends apparel freight rates soaring on US & EU routes












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Polyester filament prices jump in India as crude spikes

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Polyester filament prices jump in India as crude spikes



Following earlier increases in purified terephthalic acid (PTA), melt and PSF, Indian producers have now raised PFY prices. POY, FDY and PTY prices have been increased by ****;* per kg across all deniers and lustres with effect from March *, reflecting rapid cost pass-through amid heightened volatility in crude-linked value chains, according to the market sources.

In the previous weekly revision effective February **, ****, PTA was increased by ****;*.** per kg to ****;**.** per kg, while monoethylene glycol (MEG) was retained at ****;**.** per kg. Polyester melt prices were raised by ****;*.** per kg to ****;**.** per kg. Downstream PSF prices were also revised upward by ****;*.** per kg from March *.



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