US cotton export sales weakened further in the week ended January 1, 2026, while shipment volumes improved, according to the latest weekly export sales report released by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Net Upland cotton sales for the 2025–26 marketing year totalled 98,000 running bales (RB), each weighing 226.8 kg (500 pounds). This represented a 27 per cent decline from the previous week and was 49 per cent below the prior four-week average, signalling softer near-term buying interest. Vietnam remained the largest buyer with net purchases of 38,700 RB, including switched sales from China. Other key destinations were Pakistan (14,400 RB), Mexico (13,000 RB), Turkiye (12,700 RB) and China (12,400 RB).
Forward sales for the 2026–27 season stood at 22,500 RB, mainly to Vietnam and Turkiye, indicating some early coverage for the next season despite cautious demand for nearby shipments.
Outstanding Upland sales fell to 3.61 million RB, sharply lower than 4.89 million RB recorded a year earlier, pointing to significantly thinner forward coverage compared with last season.
In contrast, shipment activity strengthened during the reporting week. Upland exports reached 154,000 RB, up 10 per cent from the previous week and 18 per cent above the four-week average. Accumulated Upland exports rose to 2.99 million RB, remaining ahead of last year’s pace. Vietnam also led shipments with 47,800 RB, followed by Pakistan, China, Turkiye and Indonesia, reflecting steady execution of existing export commitments.
Pima cotton sales improved modestly. Net Pima sales for the 2025–26 season totalled 4,300 RB, higher than the previous week but below the recent average. Outstanding Pima sales declined to 57,700 RB, well below last year’s level, while Pima exports dropped sharply to 4,500 RB, with China as the primary destination.
Overall, the USDA data indicates that while US cotton export sales continued to soften in early January, stronger shipment performance is supporting cumulative exports, even as forward order books remain notably lighter than the previous season.
Source: Fabric2Fashion
(Rewritten & adapted by Indian-Apparel.com News Desk)
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