Cotton futures pulled back during Thursday’s session, with nearby contracts closing down between 40 and 47 points across the board.
July 2025 cotton settled at 65.63 cents per pound, declining 44 points, while October 2025 cotton closed at 68.18, down 47 points on the day.
December 2025 cotton finished at 68.26 cents per pound, shedding 45 points as broader market pressures weighed on the commodity.
Crude oil prices added to the bearish tone, falling 77 cents on the day, while the U.S. dollar index climbed $0.400 to reach $99.835.
Weekly Export Sales data showed a total of 141,428 running bales of cotton were sold in the week ending May 15, representing a 5-week high.
Despite the multi-week peak, sales still came in 30.31% below the comparable week from the prior year, highlighting ongoing demand headwinds for American cotton.
Vietnam was the leading buyer for the week, purchasing 61,800 running bales, while Turkey followed with 19,400 running bales committed.
Shipments for the week totaled 251,531 running bales, the lowest figure recorded since the end of January, with Vietnam receiving 57,300 bales and Pakistan taking 56,600 bales.
On the physical market side, The Seam reported 1,311 bales sold on May 21 at an average price of 72.07 cents per pound.
The Cotlook A Index rose 65 points on Tuesday, settling at 78.25, while ICE certified cotton stocks held steady at 39,796 bales as of May 21.
The USDA’s Adjusted World Price fell 38 points to 53.52 cents per pound, adding further downside pressure to the market’s near-term outlook.
The gap between the Cotlook A Index and domestic futures prices continues to reflect the complex interplay of global supply conditions and shifting trade flows affecting cotton markets worldwide.
Vietnam’s emergence as both a top buyer and top shipment destination underscores the growing importance of Southeast Asian textile demand in supporting U.S. cotton export volumes.
Traders and analysts will be watching upcoming export data closely to determine whether the recent 5-week sales high signals a genuine uptick in demand or remains a brief interruption in a broader slowdown.
