Cotton International News
18-Apr-2026 08:41 AM
Cotton International News
ICE cotton futures posted gains of 44 to 170 points on Friday, with the May contract rising 418 points over the week. The US Dollar Index increased by 0.045 to 98.070. Crude oil prices fell by $9.12 following Iran’s agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
As of April 14, managed money added 18,845 contracts, flipping their position from net short to a net long of 16,825 contracts in cotton futures and options—marking the first net long position in nearly two years.
USDA Export Sales data shows cotton export commitments at 10.409 million RB, down 1% from last year. This is 92% of the USDA estimate and below the 100% average pace of the past five years. Exports stand at 6.71 million RB, which is 60% of the USDA estimate and slightly behind the 62% average pace.
On April 15, 4,014 bales of cotton were sold on the Seam at an average price of 74.94 cents per pound. The Cotlook A Index rose by 100 points on Thursday to 86.60 cents. ICE certified cotton stocks remained steady at 162,367 bales on April 16. The Adjusted World Price increased by 287 points to 61.61 cents per pound.