Cotton prices rose 30 to 73 points in early trading on Tuesday, following a Monday increase of 100 to 144 points. As of now, December 2024 cotton futures stand at 68.68 cents per pound, while March and May 2025 futures are at 70.06 and 71.21 cents, respectively.
The USDA’s Crop Progress report shows that 84% of the U.S. cotton crop is currently setting bolls, which is 3% above normal, with 19% of those bolls already opening—2% faster than average. However, cotton condition ratings dropped 4% to 42% rated good to excellent, while the Brugler500 index fell by 4 points to 315. Additionally, ICE cotton stocks decreased by 2,759 bales on August 16, resulting in a total of 12,767 bales of certified stocks, with the Cotlook A Index rising to 78.60 cents per pound.
