USDA U.S. Department of Agriculture - September 26, 2025
Mp_cn206
September 26, 2025
Weekly Cotton Market Review
Spot quotations averaged 48 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 62.50 cents per pound
for the week ending Thursday, September 25, 2025. The weekly average was down from 62.98
cents last week and from 67.08 cents reported in the corresponding period a year ago.
Daily average quotations ranged from a high of 62.82 cents on Tuesday, September 23 to
a low of 62.35 cents on Wednesday, September 24. Spot transactions reported in the Daily
Spot Cotton Quotations for the week ended September 25 totaled 2,301 bales. This compares
to 8,235 reported last week and 10,918 bales reported the corresponding week a year ago.
Total spot transactions for the season were 32,564 bales compared to 51,477 the corresponding
week a year ago. The ICE December settlement price ended the week at 66.28 cents, compared
to 66.90 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.
Partly cloudy to sunny skies were observed across the lower Southeast during the period.
Daytime high temperatures were in 90s. Nighttime lows were mostly in the 60s and 70s. Portions
of central Alabama received around one to two inches of moisture during the week. Localized
areas of coastal Georgia received trace amounts to around one-half of an inch of light moisture.
The crop advanced at a rapid pace. Producers were assessing invasive cotton jassid impacts
and considering treatment options. Defoliation applications were underway, and harvesting had
begun in the earliest planted fields. According to the National Agricultural Statistic’s Services
(NASS) Crop Progress report released September 22, cotton bolls opening advanced to 76 percent in
Georgia and 70 percent in Alabama.
A mix of clouds and sun prevailed across the upper Southeast during the period. Daytime temperatures
were in the 90s. Nighttime lows were in the upper 60s to low 70s. Spotty showers were received across
South Carolina and areas of coastal North Carolina during the week. Precipitation totals measured
from trace amounts to around one-half of an inch of moisture. The crop advanced at a good pace under
warm conditions, and harvesting had begun in the earliest planted fields in South Carolina and Virginia.
According to NASS, cotton bolls opening advanced to 65 percent in Virginia, 61 in South Carolina, and 57
percent in North Carolina.
Textile Mill
Domestic mill buyers inquired for a moderate volume of color 41 and better, leaf 4 and better, and staple
34 and longer for June through October 2026 delivery. No sales and no additional inquiries were reported.
Mill buyers maintained a cautious undertone as they balanced raw cotton purchases 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 37 for November through September 2026 shipment.
Trading
•
No trading activity was reported.
South Central Markets Regional Summary
North Delta
Spot cotton trading was inactive. Supplies of available cotton were light. Demand was very light. Average
local spot prices were weak. Trading of CCC-loan equities was inactive. There was no interest in forward
contracting. Business was very slow.
Daytime high temperatures were in the 90s. Nighttime lows were in the 70s. Cloudy skies characterized the
weather pattern during the period. Severe weather warnings were issued by the National Weather Service
for most of the week. Scattered thunderstorms mid-week dropped highs into the 70s and overnight lows into
the 60s. Accumulated precipitation totals measured from two to five inches of rainfall. The U.S. Drought
Monitor report released on September 25, reported mostly severe to extreme drought in Arkansas and Tennessee.
According to local sources, additional rainfall is needed in heavy ground areas to replenish topsoil moisture.
Recent showers in defoliated regions provided little benefit to the crop. Hot and dry conditions in sandy
cropland have accelerated crop maturity. Fieldwork activities were currently underway across affected locales.
Cotton fields across Arkansas, Tennessee, and Missouri are currently undergoing defoliation, with crop dusters
actively treating acres in preparation for harvest. Harvesting had begun in southern Arkansas and west Tennessee,
while producers continued to irrigate late-planted cotton in the remaining fields that were still maturing.
Plant bug activity persisted as growers worked to reduce Jaspers, or cotton jassid populations in the fields.
Targeted control measures remain ongoing to mitigate crop damage and preserve yield potential. In Missouri,
yields are expected to be near the five-year average at approximately 1,100 pounds, but are expected to be
below average in other states. According to the National Agricultural Statistics Services Crop Progress report
released on September 22, cotton bolls opening was at 79 percent in Arkansas, 71 in Missouri, and 77 percent
in Tennessee. Arkansas was 10 percent below the five-year average. Missouri and Tennessee were observed to be
above the five-year average. The Memphis Classing Office began receiving bags of cotton this week. Gins prepared
for pressing operations.
South Delta
Trading of spot cotton and CCC-loan equities were inactive. Supplies of available cotton were light. Demand
was very light. Average local spot prices were weak. No forward contracting was reported. Business was very
slow.
A mix of cloudy and sunny skies persisted during the reporting period. Daytime high temperatures were in the
90s. Nighttime lows were in the 60s and 70s. Warnings were issued by the National Weather Service for severe
weather with strong gusty winds for the duration of the period. Heavy thunderstorms migrated throughout the
region, which resulted in a small cold front, that dropped daytime highs into the 80s. Accumulated precipitation
totals measured from trace amounts to around three inches of rain. Drought conditions improved in isolated
areas after heavy rainfall restored moisture to the soil. The U.S. Drought Monitor report released on September 25,
reported mostly abnormal to extreme drought in the region. Fieldwork was being done. Cotton yields were influenced
by the degree of heat stress experienced during the growing season. In Mississippi, late planted cotton has
progressed well, and has been defoliated in some fields and harvested in other areas. According to the National
Agricultural Statistics Service’s (NASS) Crop Progress report released on September 22, cotton bolls opening was
at 89 percent in Louisiana and 75 percent in Mississippi. Both Louisiana and Mississippi were observed to be below
the five-year average by 2 to 3 percent. NASS reported harvesting at 16 percent in Louisiana and 9 percent in
Mississippi. In Louisiana, harvesting was below the five-year average by 2 percent. Harvesting was above the
five-year average in Mississippi by 1 percent. Crop conditions remained mostly fair to good in Louisiana and
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 active. Supplies and producer offerings were moderate. Demand was moderate.
Average local spot prices were lower. Producer interest in forward contracting was light. Trading of
CCC-loan equities was inactive. Foreign mill inquiries were moderate. Interest was best from Korea,
Taiwan, and Vietnam.
Mostly sunny conditions with intermittent scattered showers mid-week were observed in East Texas.
Daytime high temperatures were in the 80s to the upper 90s. Nighttime low temperatures were in the
60s and 70s. Accumulated rainfall totals ranged from trace amounts up to over one-quarter of an inch
of precipitation in some locales. Harvest expanded across the region. Pressing operations continued,
and gins adjusted schedules to accommodate for an influx of incoming modules for processing. Early in
the period, producers worked around rainfall to wrap up harvest and winterize fields, but sunnier and
drier conditions returned mid-week in the South Texas region, providing more suitable weather for
fieldwork. Daytime high temperatures were in the upper 80s to the upper 90s. Overnight low temperatures
were in the mid-60s to the upper 70s. Accumulated rainfall totals measured from one-quarter of an inch
up to over one and one-quarter inches of moisture. Harvest was nearing completion in the Coastal Bend
and Upper Coast, but a handful of defoliated fields were still yet to be picked. Most harvested fields
have been winterized and prepared for the offseason. Ginning continued at capacity in the Upper Coast
and Coastal Bend. Gins operated 24/7, running back-to-back shifts to process backlogs of modules on
yards. In the lower Rio Grande Valley, some gins have completed the season.
West Texas-Kansas-Oklahoma
Spot cotton trading was slow. Supplies and producer offerings were light. Demand was very light.
Average local spot prices were lower. Producer interest in forward contracting was light. Trading
of CCC-loan equities was inactive. Foreign mill inquiries were moderate. Interest was best from
Korea, Taiwan, and Vietnam.
Daytime high temperatures across Texas varied in the mid-70s to low 100s, with overnight lows in
the 50s to 70s. A mix of sun and clouds prevailed, accompanied by occasional thunderstorms and
stray showers throughout the report period. Precipitation amounts ranged from trace up to over one
and one-half inches of moisture. Bolls developed and began cracking open. More dryland fields received
applications of boll openers and defoliation. Harvest activities were expected to begin in about 10 days.
The first bale was harvested and delivered in Gaines County as recognized by the Seminole Area Chamber
of Commerce and Gaines County Ag and Oil Committee.
In Kansas, thunderstorms brought more than three and one-quarter inches of rainfall, with daytime high
temperatures in the low 70s to mid-80s, and overnight lows in the 50s to 60s. Cooler temperatures and
untimely rainfall slowed progress. Fields were soggy. The late-season crop presents promising yield
potential according to boll counts, but a sustained warming trend and a later than normal frost will
be critical for boll maturation. Bolls began to pop open. Field events and meetings were held. In
Oklahoma, stands advanced with daytime highs in the low 80s to upper 90s and overnight lows in the
50s to 70s. A cool front pushed through and brought thunderstorms and below average temperatures
for this time of year. Rain measured from trace amounts up to more than three and one-half inches
of rainfall that helped the bolls fill in. Preparations for harvest were underway and expected to
commence in October. Applications of boll openers and defoliants will be applied once the fields
firm.
Trading
East Texas/South Texas
•
A heavy volume of new-crop, color 31 and better, leaf 2 and 3, staple 35-37, mike 41-49, strength
30-32, and uniformity 80-83 sold for 64.00 to 65.50 cents per pound, FOB warehouse (compression
charges not paid).
•
A moderate volume of new-crop, color 32 and better, leaf 1 and 2, staple 35 and 36, mike 47-49,
strength 28-30, and uniformity 81-82 sold for around 62.00 cents.
•
A moderate volume of new-crop containing color 52 and better, leaf 3-5, staple 36 and 37, mike
37-49, strength averaging 33.2, and uniformity 81-85 sold for 56.25 to 57.50 cents.
West Texas, Kansas & Oklahoma
•
In Texas, a lot containing a light volume of 2024-crop cotton color 21 and 31, leaf 2-4, staple 36, mike
30-39, strength averaging 30.9, and uniformity averaging 79.3 traded for around 62.50 cents per pound,
FOB car/truck, (compression charges not paid).
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 weak. No Forward contracting or
domestic mill activity was reported. Foreign mill inquiries were light.
Rainfall was received in the beginning of the reporting period in Arizona. Daytime temperatures cooled
slightly into the low 80s to 100s with nighttime lows in the 60s and 70s. Flash flood watches were issued
for areas of central and eastern Arizona. Accumulated moisture totals ranged from trace amounts to over
three-quarters of an inch of rain. Bolls were opening. Harvest activities continued in Yuma, and ginning
progressed on a limited scale. In New Mexico and El Paso, TX, isolated showers brought moisture, but
mostly sunny and partly cloudy conditions were prevalent. Daily temperatures were in 80s and 90s.
Nighttime lows were in the 60s and 70s. Showers produced over one-quarter of an inch of moisture.
The crop advanced.
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 lower. Foreign mill inquiries were light.
In the SJV, a brief cool front, as a result of scattered showers early in the period, gave way to
sunshine and clear skies. Daily temperatures dipped into the upper 80s and the low 90s, with nightly
lows in the 60s and low 70s. Over one-quarter of an inch of moisture was reported during the period.
Bolls began to pop open. Industry experts noted that recent rainfall may lead to light discoloration
in cotton, potentially affecting fiber appearance. However, the forecasted stretch of dry and sunny
weather is expected to help reverse these effects, improving crop quality ahead of harvest. Treatments
for insects were applied as needed. According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service’s Crop
Progress report released on September 22, cotton bolls opening was at 50 percent, surpassing the five-year
average of 47 percent.
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 SJV, mostly sunny conditions with rain early in the period eased high temperatures. Daily temperatures
ranged from the 80s to the low 90s, with nightly lows in the 60s and 70s. Over one-quarter of an inch of
moisture was reported during the period. Bolls were cracking open. Isolated showers brought moisture to
Arizona early in the period. Daytime temperatures fluctuated from the 80s to 100s. Nighttime lows were
low 60s and 70s. Industry experts reported that defoliation is expected to begin in some Pima fields in
approximately two weeks, and harvest in a month.
Trading
Desert Southwest
•
No trading activity was reported.
San Joaquin Valley
•
No trading activity was reported.
American Pima
•
No trading activity was reported.
Corpus Christi Bales Classed
For the week ending September 22, 154,618 bales were classed. The Rayville, Dumas, Corpus Christi, and
Visalia offices classed cotton this week, but data from Visalia was withheld to avoid disclosure of
information. Quality data across all offices for the week was 38.3 percent for color 31, 47.1 percent for
leaf 3, staple averaging 37.07, mike averaging 4.34, strength averaging 31.38, and uniformity averaging 82.04.
For the entire U.S. upland crop, total bales classed during the season was 688,234 bales.
