Cotton futures closed steady on Friday, August 24, 2026, with front-month contracts posting modest gains as traders weighed strong export demand against broader market signals. December cotton settled at 88.35 cents per pound, up 1 point on the day, while the most-active contract gained 355 points over the course of the week. The narrow daily range — with contracts up 1 to 7 points — capped a week that saw cotton prices climb steadily on the back of resilient overseas buying.
Export Sales Underpin Cotton’s Weekly Advance
Thursday’s export sales report provided the clearest signal of underlying demand. According to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 2026/27 cotton export commitments reached 4.235 million running bales, a figure that stands 31% above the same point last year. That total represents 37% of the USDA’s full-season export projection, a pace that trails the five-year average of 43% but runs well ahead of last year’s 29%.
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The strong export numbers helped offset concerns about global supply and gave managed money traders reason to add to their bullish positions. The latest Commitment of Traders report, covering the week ending August 18, showed managed money increasing its net long position in cotton futures and options by 5,798 contracts, bringing the net long to 78,668 contracts.
Global Benchmarks and Certified Stocks
International price indicators reinforced the firm tone. The Cotlook A Index — a widely watched benchmark for world cotton prices — jumped 300 points on August 20 to 98.90 cents per pound. The move signaled continued strength in physical demand, particularly from mills in Southeast Asia.
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On the domestic front, ICE certified cotton stocks held steady at 70,643 bales as of Thursday, while the Seam auction platform reported just 55 bales sold at its August 20 sale, at an average price of 81.6 cents per pound. The thin auction volume reflects the market’s tight nearby supply conditions.
Meanwhile, the Adjusted World Price (AWP) — the benchmark used to calculate U.S. cotton loan deficiency payments — was raised by 143 points on Thursday to 69.62 cents per pound. The increase makes cotton less competitive for the loan program, a subtle but telling indicator of firmer cash prices.
What to Watch Next
Traders are now looking ahead to the next round of export sales data, due Thursday, to see whether the pace of commitments can maintain its current trajectory. The market will also be watching weather conditions across the U.S. cotton belt as the crop moves through the final stages of maturation.
With December cotton holding above the 88-cent level and the Cotlook A Index pushing toward 99 cents, the market appears well-supported. However, the lagging pace of sales relative to the five-year average suggests that some buyers may be waiting for lower prices. The gap between current commitments and the historical pace could either close through accelerated buying or open wider if demand softens.
For now, the combination of firm global prices, rising export commitments, and a stronger managed money position points to a market that remains comfortably in a bullish range. The key test will come in the next few weeks as the market digests the USDA’s updated supply and demand estimates.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Commodity markets are volatile and involve substantial risk. Prices can move quickly in either direction, and past performance is not indicative of future results.
