US Upland cotton exports increased but Pima notably down: USDA

US cotton export sales rebounded in the week ended January 29, 2026, recovering from the prior slowdown, while shipment volumes eased from the previous marketing-year peak but remained firm versus recent averages. This reflects selective new buying alongside steady execution of existing contracts.

According to the weekly US cotton export sales report released by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), net Upland cotton sales for the 2025–26 marketing year rose to 249,800 running bales (RB), each weighing 226.8 kg (500 pounds). This marked a 23 per cent increase from the previous week, though sales were 5 per cent below the prior four-week average.

US cotton export sales rebounded on renewed Upland demand, led by Vietnam, Pakistan and China, while forward bookings signalled cautious confidence in next-season coverage.
Shipments eased from peak levels but stayed well above recent averages, reflecting steady contract execution.
Pima cotton remained weak, underscoring divergent demand across fibre segments.

Vietnam emerged as the largest buyer with net purchases of 54,000 RB, followed by Pakistan (48,100 RB), China (36,600 RB), Turkiye (32,800 RB) and Bangladesh (31,800 RB). These gains were partially offset by modest reductions from South Korea.

Forward sales for the 2026–27 season strengthened sharply, with net sales jumping to 114,900 RB, compared with minimal volumes a week earlier. Malaysia led next-season bookings with 52,800 RB, followed by Indonesia (33,400 RB), Mexico and Nicaragua (8,800 RB each), and Turkiye (6,600 RB), signalling improved confidence in forward coverage.

Shipment activity softened from the prior week’s marketing-year high. Upland cotton exports declined 9 per cent week on week to 235,300 RB, though shipments remained 25 per cent above the four-week average. Vietnam remained the top destination with 84,300 RB, followed by Pakistan (29,100 RB), Bangladesh (19,500 RB), Turkiye (17,600 RB) and China (16,000 RB).

Outstanding Upland sales stood at 3.98 million RB, still significantly below the 5.20 million RB recorded a year earlier, indicating leaner forward order coverage despite accumulated exports rising to 3.82 million RB, ahead of last season’s pace.

The Pima cotton segment weakened notably. Net Pima sales for 2025–26 fell to 3,200 RB, down 87 per cent from the previous week and 79 per cent below the four-week average, with limited buying from Costa Rica, Djibouti, Thailand, Bangladesh and India. Pima shipments declined to a marketing-year low of 2,300 RB, down 48 per cent week on week, with exports mainly to China, Colombia, Thailand and India.

Overall, the latest data indicate a recovery in US cotton export sales driven by renewed Upland demand and stronger forward bookings, even as shipments moderated from record levels. However, lower outstanding sales compared with last year suggest global mills remain cautious about extending coverage amid price volatility and uncertain downstream demand.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KUL)