ICE cotton futures closed higher on Monday after the USDA’s World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report pointed to stable demand alongside a lower production outlook. A weaker US dollar and firmer commodity markets also supported sentiment, as the softer greenback made US cotton more affordable for overseas buyers.

The most actively traded March cotton contract rose 0.50 cents, or 0.78 per cent, to settle at 64.91 cents per pound, marking its second-highest close of the past month. The December-27 contract ended one point lower, while all other contract months gained between two and 59 points.

ICE cotton futures strengthened after the USDA’s World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) cut US and global stocks while keeping demand steady.
A weaker dollar lifted commodity markets, helping cotton hold gains.
March contracts traded near monthly highs, though traders remain cautious as export demand and global consumption trends still lack strong visibility.

Total trading volume reached 72,016 contracts, including 53,794 contracts carried over from Friday. Average daily volume last week was 66,350 contracts, reflecting solid market participation.

The USDA kept US beginning stocks, consumption, exports and imports unchanged, but cut US cotton production by 350,000 bales to 13.92 million bales and reduced US ending stocks by 300,000 bales to 4.2 million bales.

World ending stocks fell by 1.49 million bales, with India’s ending stocks down by 1.2 million bales and Australia’s by 200,000 bales, while China’s ending stocks increased by 500,000 bales.

Market analysts described the report as “friendly”, noting that the 350,000-bale production cut was about double what had been expected and that it was also a surprise that the US export forecast was not reduced. Despite the supportive USDA data, the cotton market continued to show mixed signals, with prices struggling to build strong upward momentum.

The US dollar fell sharply after reports that the US Department of Justice had issued a grand jury subpoena on January 9 and opened a criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell over the Federal Reserve headquarters renovation project. As the dollar weakened, commodity markets surged across the board, with gold breaking through a record $4,600 per ounce, NYMEX crude oil climbing to a more than five-week high, and Brent crude closing at a near eight-week high on worries over a possible decline in Iranian exports. Broad-based strength in commodities helped cotton hold on to, and extend, its gains.

This morning, in Indian Standard Time, ICE cotton for March 2026 was settled at 65.10 cents per pound, up 0.19 cent. Cash cotton stood at 62.66 cents, up 0.50 cent, the May 2026 contract at 66.60 cents, up 0.16 cent, the July 2026 contract at 68.01 cents, up 0.15 cent, the October 2026 contract at 68.43 cents, down 0.59 cent, and the December 2026 contract at 69.33 cents, up 0.06 cent. A few contracts remained at their previous closing levels, with no trading recorded so far today.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KUL)

China will accelerate the implementation of zero-tariff measures for African exports in Lesotho, and provide greater facilitation for its specialty products to enter China, the former’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi said recently.

He said while meeting Lesotho Prime Minister Sam Matekane in Maseru.

China will accelerate the implementation of zero-tariff measures for African exports in Lesotho, and provide greater facilitation for its specialty products to enter China, the former’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi said recently.
He said while meeting Lesotho Prime Minister Sam Matekane in Maseru.
He conveyed China’s readiness to work with Lesotho to expand economic, trade and industrial cooperation.

He conveyed China’s readiness to work with Lesotho to strengthen exchanges on governance experience, expand economic, trade and industrial cooperation, as well as deepen collaboration in multilateral arenas, further advancing their strategic partnership, a state-controlled Chinese media outlet reported.

Matekane said China’s zero-tariff policy for African products will offer new momentum for Lesotho’s development. He expressed willingness to strengthen strategic mutual trust, expand people-to-people exchanges and deepen cooperation in infrastructure, manufacturing, energy and other sectors.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)

Retail business Ace Turtle has opened Lee and Wrangler stores next to each other in Anand to bring the US labels’ signature casual western wear to the Gujarat city in a move to connect with aspirational non-metro shoppers.

 
“Anand represents the new growth story of Indian retail- aspirational, brand-aware, and ready for global fashion,” said Ace Turtle’s chief executive officer Nitin Chhabra in a press release. “The opening of Lee and Wrangler stores here reflects our commitment to making iconic international brands more accessible across India. Gujarat has consistently shown strong consumer demand, and we see significant long-term potential in markets like Anand.”
 
Located on Anand’s bustling AV Road, the mono-brand stores both retail denim and casualwear for men and women. Both stores launched with 50% off offers on select goods and integrate technology into the shopping experience as part of Ace Turtle’s omni-channel retail model which it is expanding into fast-growing Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.

Ace Turtle describes itself as “India’s leading tech-native retail company” and is based in Bengaluru. The vertically integrated business is the exclusive licensee of global brands Lee, Wrangler, and G-Star in the Indian and other South Asian markets.