Net sales of Upland cotton for the 2025–26 marketing year totalled 185,300 RB (running bales, each weighing 226.8 kg), up 21 per cent from the previous week and 62 per cent above the prior four-week average. The increase reflected continued strong demand from Asian markets and Türkiye.
US cotton export sales showed mixed trends in the week ended May 28.
Upland cotton net sales rose 21 per cent to 185,300 RB, led by Vietnam, Pakistan, Türkiye and China, though shipments fell 15 per cent.
Pima cotton sales rebounded 95 per cent to 5,400 RB, while exports reached a marketing-year high of 18,700 RB, driven by strong demand from India and Vietnam.
Vietnam emerged as the largest buyer during the reporting week, with purchases of 109,900 RB, including 100 RB switched from South Korea despite reductions of 200 RB. Pakistan followed with 16,500 RB, while Türkiye booked 14,200 RB. China purchased 11,000 RB, including 1,400 RB switched from Malaysia and 400 RB switched from Vietnam despite reductions of 4,700 RB. Bangladesh also entered the market with purchases of 8,200 RB. Reductions were limited to South Korea.
New-crop Upland sales for the 2026–27 marketing year totalled 77,100 RB. Mexico led bookings with 24,000 RB, followed by Indonesia (14,100 RB), Pakistan (12,300 RB), Vietnam (10,600 RB) and Thailand (7,700 RB).
Upland export shipments declined during the week to 268,800 RB, down 15 per cent from the previous week and 12 per cent below the prior four-week average. Vietnam remained the leading destination with shipments of 79,100 RB, followed by Türkiye (48,200 RB), Pakistan (41,700 RB), China (26,200 RB) and Bangladesh (22,200 RB).
Pima cotton sales rebounded strongly during the reporting week. Net sales for the 2025–26 marketing year rose to 5,400 RB, up 95 per cent from the previous week, although still 34 per cent below the prior four-week average. India led purchases with 3,600 RB, followed by Djibouti with 1,300 RB switched from China, Hong Kong (1,100 RB), Vietnam (400 RB) and Japan (300 RB). These gains were partly offset by reductions for China. New crop Pima sales for the 2026–27 marketing year reached 36,800 RB, primarily for Vietnam (35,200 RB) and India (1,600 RB).
Pima export shipments climbed to a marketing-year high of 18,700 RB, rising sharply from the previous week and up 69 per cent from the prior four-week average. India remained the top destination with shipments of 6,800 RB, followed by Vietnam (5,200 RB), Pakistan (3,200 RB), China (2,200 RB) and Bangladesh (700 RB).
Overall, the latest USDA data indicate that global demand for US Upland cotton remained firm, particularly from Vietnam, Pakistan, China, and Türkiye, despite weaker shipment activity during the week. Meanwhile, Pima cotton sales and exports recovered significantly, supported by stronger buying interest from India and Vietnam.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KUL)
