Net sales of Upland cotton for the 2025–26 marketing year totalled 153,600 RB (running bales, each weighing 226.8 kg), up 17 per cent from the previous week and 32 per cent above the prior four-week average. The figures indicate that global demand for US cotton remained resilient despite ongoing uncertainty in textile trade and raw material pricing.
US Upland cotton sales rose 17 per cent week on week to 153,600 RB in the week ended May 21, while shipments increased 10 per cent to 317,700 RB, supported by strong demand from Vietnam, Pakistan, China and Türkiye.
In contrast, Pima cotton demand weakened sharply, with sales and exports declining significantly despite continued purchases from India.
Vietnam remained the leading buyer during the reporting week, purchasing 48,800 RB, including 1,300 RB switched from Indonesia and 900 RB switched from South Korea, despite reductions of 4,700 RB. Pakistan followed with purchases of 41,300 RB, including 400 RB switched from India, despite reductions of 3,300 RB. China booked 24,900 RB, while Türkiye purchased 17,300 RB, including reductions of 100 RB. India also entered the market with purchases of 9,000 RB. These gains were partly offset by reductions for South Korea and Nicaragua.
New-crop Upland sales for the 2026–27 marketing year totalled 112,000 RB, lower than the previous week’s exceptionally strong level of 216,000 RB. Pakistan again led bookings with 68,300 RB, followed by Mexico (26,100 RB), South Korea (8,800 RB), Türkiye (7,000 RB) and Guatemala (1,400 RB).
Upland export shipments also improved during the week, reaching 317,700 RB, up 10 per cent from the previous week, although still 2 per cent below the prior four-week average. Vietnam remained the top destination with shipments of 101,600 RB, followed by Pakistan (70,900 RB), Türkiye (36,500 RB), China (17,900 RB) and Indonesia (15,800 RB).
Pima cotton demand weakened sharply during the reporting week. Net sales for the 2025–26 marketing year fell to 2,800 RB, down 71 per cent from the previous week and 79 per cent below the prior four-week average. India remained the largest buyer with 1,000 RB, followed by Thailand (500 RB), China (400 RB), Indonesia (300 RB) and Pakistan (200 RB). New-crop Pima sales for the 2026–27 marketing year were limited to 400 RB, all booked by India.
Pima export shipments also declined further during the week. Exports totalled 7,500 RB, down 25 per cent from the previous week and 45 per cent below the prior four-week average. India remained the leading destination with shipments of 3,200 RB, followed by Peru and China (1,200 RB each), Pakistan (700 RB) and Vietnam (700 RB).
Overall, the latest USDA data suggest that US Upland cotton demand continued to recover steadily, driven by strong buying and shipment activity from Vietnam, Pakistan, China and Türkiye. However, the sharp decline in Pima sales and exports indicates that demand for premium cotton varieties remained subdued despite continued buying interest from India.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KUL)
