US cotton export sales recover but remain below four-week average

US cotton export sales recovered modestly in the week ended July 2, 2026, as Upland cotton bookings rebounded from the previous week’s low, although demand remained below the recent four-week trend. Export shipments also improved slightly, while Pima cotton sales strengthened from the previous week, despite lower export volumes, according to the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) weekly export sales report.Net sales of Upland cotton for the 2025-26 marketing year totalled 66,400 RB (running bales, each weighing 226.8 kg), up 36 per cent from the previous week, but 49 per cent below the prior four-week average. Vietnam was the largest buyer with purchases of 23,500 RB, followed closely by India with 23,400 RB, Mexico with 10,400 RB, Bangladesh with 4,000 RB and China with 3,300 RB. These gains were partially offset by net reductions for Pakistan, Switzerland, Hong Kong, and South Korea.

US Upland cotton export sales rose 36 per cent to 66,400 running bales (RB) in the week ended July 2, led by Vietnam and India, while shipments increased 5 per cent to 230,100 RB.
New-crop sales also strengthened.
Pima cotton sales rebounded, but export shipments declined sharply from the previous week’s seasonal peak despite stronger buying interest.

New-crop Upland cotton export sales for the 2026-27 marketing year rose to 87,000 RB, led by Vietnam with 48,700 RB, followed by Türkiye with 30,800 RB, Japan with 2,400 RB, Indonesia with 2,400 RB and Ecuador with 1,600 RB.

Upland export shipments increased to 230,100 RB, up 5 per cent from the previous week, but 14 per cent below the prior four-week average. Vietnam remained the leading destination with shipments of 85,400 RB, followed by Pakistan with 42,800 RB, Türkiye with 23,900 RB, Bangladesh with 21,200 RB and Mexico with 18,400 RB.

Pima cotton also showed stronger buying interest during the week. Net sales for the 2025-26 marketing year totalled 2,600 RB, rising sharply from the previous week, but remaining 42 per cent, below the prior four-week average. Vietnam led purchases with 1,300 RB, followed by India with 700 RB, while Bangladesh, Türkiye, and Indonesia each booked 200 RB. New-crop Pima cotton sales for the 2026-27 marketing year reached 17,500 RB, entirely for India.

Pima export shipments, however, fell to 10,600 RB, down 57 per cent from the previous week and 38 per cent below the prior four-week average. India remained the largest destination with shipments of 8,300 RB, followed by Peru with 700 RB, Pakistan with 400 RB, Thailand with 300 RB and Türkiye with 300 RB.

The latest USDA data indicated a partial recovery in US cotton export demand, after the previous week’s weakness. Upland sales and shipments improved modestly, supported by stronger buying from Vietnam and India, while new-crop commitments also accelerated. Pima sales rebounded significantly, driven by India and Vietnam, although export shipments retreated sharply from the previous week’s seasonal peak.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KUL)