Cotton futures experienced a significant rally on Thursday, with contracts increasing by 80 to 159 points. The USDA’s monthly update confirmed the U.S. carryout for 2023 at 4.4 million bales and a global increase in the balance sheet to 77.04 million bales.
In export news, the USDA reported sales of 319,580 running bales of cotton for the 2025/26 season during the week of April 2, with Vietnam as the leading buyer at 132,500 bales. The shipments totaled 342,744 bales, a three-week low, primarily directed to Vietnam, China, and India.
Key cotton prices closed as follows: May 2026 at 73.26 cents (up 159 points), July 2026 at 75.32 cents (up 174 points), and December 2026 at 76.87 cents (up 140 points). The Cotlook A Index dipped to 82.25 cents.
