Weekly Cotton Market Review, narrative

Mp_cn206 May 30, 2025 Weekly Cotton Market Review Spot quotations averaged 20 points lower than the previous week, according to the USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service�s Cotton and Tobacco Program. Quotations for the base quality of cotton (color 41, leaf 4, staple 34, mike 35-36 and 43-49, strength 27.0 - 28.9, and uniformity 81.0 - 81.9) in the seven designated markets averaged 62.61 cents per pound for the week ending Thursday, May 29, 2025. The weekly average was down from 62.81 cents last week and from 72.95 cents reported the corresponding period a year ago. Daily average quotations ranged from a high of 63.25 cents on Friday, May 23 to a low of 61.98 cents on Thursday, May 29. Spot transactions reported in the Daily Spot Cotton Quotations for the week ended May 29 totaled 1,499 bales. This compares to 5,431 reported last week and 14,388 bales reported the corresponding week a year ago. Total spot transactions for the season were 958,561 bales compared to 833,197 bales the corresponding week a year ago. The ICE July settlement price ended the week at 64.84 cents, compared to 65.63 cents last week. Southeastern Markets Regional Summary Spot cotton trading was inactive. Supplies and offerings were light. Demand was moderate. Average local spot prices were steady. Trading of CCC-loan equities was inactive. No interest in forward contracting was reported. Scattered thunderstorms and cloudy conditions dominated the weather pattern during much of the period across the lower Southeast. Daytime high temperatures were in the 80s and 90s. Nighttime lows were in the 60s. Widespread moisture was received across most of the cotton growing areas of Alabama, the Florida Panhandle, and Georgia throughout the week. Precipitation totals measured from one half of an inch to four inches, with the heaviest accumulations recorded in central and north Alabama and Georgia. Fields remained soggy in these areas and planting was delayed. Elsewhere, planting and fieldwork advanced at a good pace. According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service�s (NASS) Crop Progress report, in Florida, the crop was 64 percent planted, 58 in Georgia, and 55 percent planted in Alabama. Squaring had begun in the earliest planted fields. Cloudy and overcast conditions with shower activity was observed across the upper Southeast during the period. Daytime high temperatures were in the 70s and 80s. Nighttime lows were mostly in the 60s. Widespread thunderstorms brought moderate precipitation to areas throughout South Carolina and areas of eastern North Carolina and Virginia. Planting activity and fieldwork advanced where soils were firm enough to support equipment. According to NASS, in South Carolina the crop was 73 percent planted, 72 in Virginia, and 60 percent planted in North Carolina. Textile Mill Domestic mill buyers inquired for a moderate volume of color 41, leaf 4 and better, and staple 35 and longer for first quarter 2026 delivery. Mill buyers also inquired for a moderate volume of color 41, leaf 4 and staple 34 and longer for second quarter through third quarter 2026 delivery. No sales were reported. The undertone from mill buyers remained cautious. Raw cotton demand was balanced with yarn orders. Demand through export channels was moderate. Agents for mills in Vietnam inquired for a moderate volume of color 31, leaf 3, and staple 36 and longer for June shipment. Vietnamese mill buyers inquired for a moderate volume of color 31, leaf 3, and staple 37 for June shipment. No sales were reported. Trading � No trading activity was reported. South Central Markets Regional Summary North Delta Spot cotton trading was inactive. Trading of CCC-loan equities was inactive. Supplies of available cotton were light. Demand was very light. Average local spot prices were steady. There was no interest in forward contracting. Cloudy skies with scattered thunderstorms persisted throughout the reporting period. Daytime high temperatures were in the 60s to 80s. Overnight lows were in the 60s. Rainfall totals measured from trace amounts to around 6 inches of moisture. Planting deadlines approached quickly. Saturated soils delayed fieldwork in many cotton growing areas. Prevented planted was claimed on insurance in regions where water levels surpassed cotton stands. Producers are hoping for an extended period of dry weather to help mature the crop. In the Bootheel, the majority of the cotton looks good in a few areas compared to a small area of depreciated crop due to flooded fields. According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service�s (NASS) Crop Progress report released on May 27, cotton planted was at 74 percent in Arkansas, 72 in Missouri, and 67 percent in Tennessee. In Tennessee, NASS reported cotton emergence was at 1 percent. Planting was at 60 percent in Arkansas, 66 in Missouri, and 49 percent in Tennessee. South Delta Trading of spot cotton and CCC-loan equities was inactive. Supplies of available cotton were light. Demand was very light. Average local spot prices were steady. There was no interest in forward contracting. Mostly cloudy conditions with scattered thunderstorms prevailed throughout the reporting period. More than 5 inches of precipitation was reported. A consistent flow of rain throughout the week caused the Mississippi River to flood near Greenville, MS. Saturated soils halted planting activities. Some crops are expected to be submerged by water for at least a week. Insurance adjusters had begun examining some fields for prevented planting measures. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, excessive precipitation improved cotton growing areas to drought-free in the lower Mississippi Valley area. Daytime highs were in the 70s and rebounded into the 90s late in the period. Overnight lows were in the 60s and 70s. Producers were hoping for an extended period of sunny weather to promote healthy crop maturity. According to the NASS Crop Progress report released on May 27, cotton planted was at 80 percent in Louisiana and 43 percent in Mississippi. Trading North Delta � No trading activity was reported. South Delta � No trading activity was reported. Southwestern Markets Regional Summary East Texas-South Texas Spot cotton trading was inactive. Supplies and producer offerings were light. Demand was light. Average local spot prices were steady. Producer interest in forward contracting was light. Trading of CCC-loan equities was inactive. Foreign mill inquiries were light. Interest was best from Korea, Pakistan, and Vietnam. Cloudy and wet weather persisted as a string of thunderstorms brought heavy rainfall to the East Texas region. Daytime high temperatures ranged from the mid-70s to the mid-90s, with nighttime lows in the low 60s to the mid-70s. Shower activity produced over three and three-quarters of an inch of precipitation in some locales. The final planting date deadline for counties in the Brazos River Bottoms and Blackland Prairies of East Texas is May 31 for crop insurance purposes. Plant growth stages ranged, due to replanting, from emergence to squaring, but local sources reported good growth and progress. Spray applications of pesticides and herbicides were applied. In South Texas, partly cloudy skies with beneficial rain showers mid-week were observed. Daytime high temperatures were in the upper 80s to the mid-90s. Nighttime low temperatures were in the low 70s to the low 80s. Accumulated rainfall totals ranged from one-half of an inch to two and one-half inches of precipitation in some areas, with additional chances for rainfall in the forecast for areas of the Upper Coast and Coastal Bend. The crop was in various stages of growth throughout the South Texas region. Stands had begun to bloom in fields in the Coastal Bend. Applications of pesticides and herbicides were made during the period. West Texas-Kansas-Oklahoma Spot cotton trading was slow. Supplies and producer offerings were light. Demand was light. Average local spot prices were steady. Producer interest in forward contracting was light. Trading of CCC-loan equities was inactive. Foreign mill inquiries were light. Interest was best from Korea, Pakistan, and Vietnam. In Texas, widespread rain and severe thunderstorms moved across the region during the period. Daytime temperatures ranged from the low 80s to the upper 90s, with overnight lows in the upper 50s to the mid-60s. Accumulated rainfall totals were reported at as much as four inches of precipitation in some areas of West Texas. Planting continued, and spray applications of herbicides and pesticides were applied in fields. Producers in the Northern High Plains made efforts to complete planting ahead of the area�s final planting deadline of May 31 for crop insurance. In Kansas, cloudy skies and rain showers dominated the weather pattern. Daytime temperatures dipped into the low 60s to mid-80s, with overnight lows in the upper 40s and low 60s. Continuous showers resulted in as much as seven inches of precipitation in some areas, and chances for additional rain remained in the nearby forecast. Producer outlook optimism has improved as a result of recent rainfall. Seedlings were emerging and cotton was coming up well across the south central portion of the state. In Oklahoma, showers early in the week produced just under one and one-quarter of an inch of precipitation. Daytime temperatures were in the low 70s to the 90s, with overnight lows in the upper 50s to the low 70s. Chances for additional moisture are in the forecast for the coming week. Planting continued in the Oklahoma panhandle as producers in Cimarron, Texas, and Beaver counties aimed to meet the May 31 final planting deadline for crop insurance. Trading East Texas/South Texas � No trading activity was reported. West Texas, Kansas & Oklahoma � In Texas, a lot containing a light volume of color 21 and 31, leaf 3 and better, staple 33-37, mike 35-50, strength 26-34, and uniformity 77-82 sold for around 61.00 cents per pound, FOB car/truck (compression charges not paid). � A lot containing a light volume of color 32, leaf 2 and 3, staple 33, mike 43-45, strength 27-30, and uniformity 77-80 traded for around 57.50 cents, same terms as above. � A light volume of CCC-loan equities traded for around 6 cents per pound. � In Kansas, a mixed lot containing a moderate volume of color 21, leaf 3, staple 34 and 35, mike averaging 42.8, strength averaging 32.2, and uniformity averaging 80.2 traded for around 61.25 cents, same terms as above. � In Oklahoma, a heavy volume of color 11 and 21, leaf 3 and better, staple 36-38, mike 38-47, strength 30-34, and uniformity 80-83 sold for around 67.75 cents, same terms as above. Western Markets Regional Summary Desert Southwest (DSW) Spot cotton trading was inactive. Supplies and producer offerings were light. Demand was light. Producer interest in forward contracting was light. Average local prices were steady. No forward contracting or domestic mill activity was reported. Mostly Sunny weather characterized the weather pattern in Arizona. Daytime highs were in the 90s into the triple digits. Overnight low temperatures remained in the 50s and 70s. Rain is needed to restore low water levels in rivers. According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service�s report released on May 19, cotton planted was ahead of the five-year average at 96 percent in Arizona. In Yuma, the crop continued to progress. Topsoil moisture conditions were rated mostly adequate. In El Paso, TX and New Mexico, daytime highs were in the 90s climbing into the low 100s. Nighttime lows cooled into the 50s to 70s. Sunny skies persisted throughout week with light wind gusts earlier during the period. In El Paso, TX producers continued planting. Days suitable for fieldwork remained the same at 7.0 days in New Mexico compared to 6.9 days last year. In Texas, days suitable for fieldwork were up by 6 percent at 6.0 days compared to 5.4 days the previous year. San Joaquin Valley (SJV) Spot cotton trading was inactive. Supplies and demand were light. No forward contracting or domestic mill activity was reported. Average local prices were steady. Foreign mill inquiries were light. In the SJV, sunny skies prevailed throughout the reporting period. Daytime highs were in the 80s and 90s, rebounding into the triple digits late period. Nighttime lows were in the 50s and 60s. Heat advisories were issued by the National Weather Service. No rainfall was recorded during the period. Local experts reported that all cotton growing areas had been 100 percent irrigated. Outdoor activities progressed well as producers monitored a light volume of plant bugs that had begun to invade fields. According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service�s Crop Progress report released on May 27, in California cotton planted advanced by 10 percent to 90 percent compared to 80 percent last week. Producers are very optimistic about their output and looking forward to rising heat levels to help mature the crop. American Pima (AP) Spot cotton trading was inactive. Supplies were moderate. Demand was light. No forward contracting or domestic mill activity was reported. Average local spot prices were steady. Foreign mill inquiries were light. In the San Joaquin Valley (SJV), mostly sunny skies dominated the weather pattern during the reporting period. Daytime highs were in the 80s and 90s rising into the triple digits early. Nighttime lows were in the 50s and 60s. No precipitation was reported. In the Desert Southwest, daytime highs were in the upper 90s to low 100s. Nighttime lows remained in the 50s and 70s. Plenty of the fields have already been planted. In Arizona, cotton planted was 98 percent planted, 84 emerged, and 10 percent squared. According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service�s (NASS) Crop Progress and Conditions report released on May 25, in New Mexico, 62 percent was planted, with 42 percent emerged, which are both ahead of five-year average. Local sources have reported that all Pima cotton is 100 percent irrigated and planted. Elevated plant bug activity was reported. According to local experts, reported acreage is expected to be down in California by at least 45 percent. Producers are hoping for a heat wave to influence optimal growth. Trading Desert Southwest � No trading activity was reported. San Joaquin Valley � No trading activity was reported. American Pima � No trading activity was reported.