Global cotton prices ease as key benchmarks slip in October

The December NY/ICE contract fell below key support levels near 66 cents per pound, reaching new life-of-contract lows below 65 cents before a mild recovery above that mark in recent sessions.

The A Index also eased slightly from 78 to 76 cents per pound. In China, the CC Index (3128B) dropped from 98 to 94 cents per pound in international terms and from 15,250 to 14,750 RMB per ton domestically, with the RMB stable around 7.12 RMB/USD, according to Cotton Incorporated’s Monthly Economic Letter – Cotton Market Fundamentals & Price Outlook for October 2025.

Cotton benchmarks weakened in October 2025, with the NY/ICE December contract dipping below 65 cents per pound before recovering slightly.
The A Index fell to 76 cents, while China’s CC Index declined to 94 cents.
Indian and Pakistani prices remained stable, cushioned by steady local currencies.
Softer trend signals ongoing global demand sluggishness across key cotton-producing and consuming regions.

In India, Shankar-6 cotton prices held steady near 78 cents per pound, or about ₹55,000 per candy, supported by a stable rupee at ₹88 per USD.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s spot rates remained around 68 cents per pound, or 15,600 PKR per maund, with the PKR steady near 281 PKR/USD.

The overall decline across global benchmarks suggests continued demand sluggishness and seasonal market softness as the 2025 harvest season progresses.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KD)