Cotton Inches Higher

The cotton market is somewhat higher Wednesday morning, influenced by certain recovering outside markets, as well as the continued preparations for March cotton’s imminent delivery.

This week, China will celebrate the Lunar New Year holidays. Most business activities may be slowed or shuttered altogether.

Thursday and Friday, USDA will hold its annual Ag Outlook Forum, presenting certain ten-year projections for U.S. agriculture. In referencing cotton, the agency noted the market year average price for upland cotton fluctuates during the projection period, starting at 65 cents per pound in nominal terms in 2026-27 before rising to 69 cents by 2030-31 where it remains for several years before slipping to 68 cents in the final several years of the projection. The U.S. mill use remains near the lowest levels of the past century as increased competition from foreign manufacturing of cotton and synthetic fibers, such as polyester, has reduced U.S. mill use significantly since the late 1990s. Mill use is projected to decline during the projections, from 1.65 million bales in 2026-27 to 1.55 million bales from 2028-29 forward. U.S. upland cotton exports will rise 10.4% from 12.5 million bales in 2026-27 to a projection period high of 13.8 million bales in 2035-36.

Weekly export sales will be delayed until Friday due to the observance of Monday’s Presidents Day holiday. Last week saw combined seasonal sales nearing 285,000 bales, off some 8%, while shipments were 188,600, down 20%. The report will be out at 8:30 a.m.

The delivery process for March cotton starts next Monday. Any producer tied to the March contract must either flatten or roll by this Friday, Feb. 20, to avoid the delivery process. Current open interest for spot March is 41,005 contracts.

Chart support for July cotton stands at 65.10 cents and 64.45 cents, with resistance around 66.20 and 66.50 cents. Wednesday morning’s estimated volume is 13,207 contracts.

Keith Brown can be reached at commodityconsults@gmail.com or by calling (229) 890-7780.