US cotton export sales slump to marketing-year low despite demand

US cotton export sales weakened sharply in the week ended July 9, 2026, with Upland cotton bookings dropping to the lowest level of the current marketing year after the modest recovery seen in the previous week. Export shipments also declined, while Pima cotton sales improved further despite weaker 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 34,400 RB (running bales, each weighing 226.8 kg), down 48 per cent from the previous week and 64 per cent below the prior four-week average. Bangladesh emerged as the largest buyer with purchases of 10,600 RB, followed by Vietnam with 5,800 RB, Pakistan with 5,300 RB, Peru with 4,800 RB and Thailand with 2,700 RB. These gains were partly offset by net reductions for Japan, Bahrain and Türkiye.

US Upland cotton export sales fell to the lowest level of the current marketing year in the week ended July 9, dropping 48 per cent from the previous week, while export shipments also declined.
In contrast, Pima cotton sales strengthened further, led by India, although Pima export shipments weakened, indicating softer near-term US cotton demand.

New-crop Upland cotton export sales for the 2026-27 marketing year slowed sharply to 4,100 RB. Pakistan led purchases with 4,200 RB, followed by Peru with 3,800 RB, Vietnam with 1,700 RB and Indonesia with 1,200 RB. These were largely offset by net reductions for Mexico, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Honduras, and Japan.

Upland export shipments declined to 214,900 RB, down 7 per cent from the previous week and 14 per cent below the prior four-week average. Vietnam remained the leading destination with shipments of 77,100 RB, followed by Türkiye with 36,100 RB, Pakistan with 21,500 RB, India with 17,000 RB and Mexico with 14,000 RB.

Pima cotton continued to attract stronger buying interest. Net sales for the 2025-26 marketing year reached 3,600 RB, up 38 per cent from the previous week and 11 per cent above the prior four-week average. India led purchases with 2,500 RB, followed by China with 700 RB and Vietnam with 400 RB. New-crop Pima cotton sales for the 2026-27 marketing year totalled 2,400 RB, comprising 1,400 RB for India and 1,000 RB for Peru.

Pima export shipments fell to 7,800 RB, down 27 per cent from the previous week and 45 per cent below the prior four-week average. India remained the largest destination with shipments of 3,500 RB, followed by Vietnam with 3,200 RB, Thailand with 500 RB, Djibouti with 500 RB and Japan with 100 RB.

The latest USDA data indicate that US cotton export demand lost momentum after the previous week’s recovery. Upland sales slumped to a marketing-year low and new-crop commitments weakened significantly, although Bangladesh remained an active buyer. Pima sales continued to strengthen, driven by India, but export shipments for both Upland and Pima declined, reflecting softer near-term demand.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KUL)