Mp_cn206 July 17, 2026 Weekly Cotton Market Review Spot quotations averaged 99 points higher than the previous week, according to the USDA, Agricultural Marketing Services 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 73.97 cents per pound for the week ending Thursday, July 16, 2026. The weekly average was up from 72.98 cents last week and from 64.50 cents reported in the corresponding period a year ago. Daily average quotations ranged from a high of 74.95 cents on Wednesday, July 15, to a low of 72.37 cents on Thursday, July 16. Spot transactions reported in the Daily Spot Cotton Quotations for the week ended July 16 totaled 604 bales. This is compared to 1,732 reported last week and 3,582 bales reported the corresponding week a year ago. Total spot transactions for the season were 1,522,630 bales compared to 987,565 the corresponding week a year ago. The ICE Oct settlement price ended the week at 77.69 cents, compared to 78.93 cents last week. Southeastern Markets Regional Summary Spot cotton trading was inactive. Supplies were moderate. Demand was moderate. Producer offerings were moderate. Average local spot prices were higher. Trading of CCC-loan equities was inactive. Cloudy conditions dominated the weather pattern across the lower Southeast during much of the period with scattered shower activity observed. Seasonably hot daytime high temperatures were mostly in the 90s but dipped into the 80s as the week progressed. Nighttime lows were in the 70s. Thunderstorms brought widespread rainfall to areas throughout Alabama, the Florida Panhandle, and areas of Georgia during the week. Precipitation totals measured from around one-half of an inch to two inches of moisture, with up to three inches of precipitation observed in localized areas. The locally heavy rains and widespread moderate amounts mostly resulted in improvements or put a halt on further degradation of ongoing drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Blooming was widespread in fields and squaring was well underway. Some fields required applications of growth regulators. Insect pressure was light to moderate and treatments were applied as needed. According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service s (NASS) Crop Progress report released July 13, squaring advanced to 78 percent in Georgia and 76 percent in Alabama. Boll-setting advanced to 34 percent in Alabama and 20 percent in Georgia. The crop was rated as mostly good in Alabama and Georgia. Mostly sunny conditions prevailed with intermittent clouds and shower activity across the upper Southeast. Seasonably hot daytime high temperatures were mostly in the 90s but dipped into the 80s during overcast and wet weather. Nighttime lows were in the 70s. Widespread shower activity brought moisture to areas throughout the Carolinas and Virginia during the week. Precipitation totals measured from around one-half of an inch to three inches of moisture, with locally heavier accumulations recorded in some areas. Despite the moisture, extreme to severe drought conditions persisted in cotton growing areas of the eastern Carolinas. The moisture helped relieved heat and drought stressed plants and fields were blooming. According to NASS, squaring advanced to 80 percent in North Carolina, 77 in Virginia, and 68 percent in South Carolina. Boll-setting advanced to 28 percent in North Carolina, 18 in Virginia, and 13 percent in South Carolina. The crop was rated mostly fair to good across the region. Textile Mill Domestic mill buyers inquired for a moderate volume of color 42 and better, leaf 4 and better, and staple 35 and longer for October through December 2026 delivery. No sales and no additional inquiries were reported. Finished product demand was slow to moderate. Mill buyers maintained a cautious undertone as they balanced raw cotton purchases with finished product orders. Demand through export channels was moderate. Agents throughout the Far East inquired for any discounted styles of cotton. Trading No trading activity was reported. South Central Markets Regional Summary North Delta Trading of spot cotton and CCC-loan equities was inactive. Supplies and producer offerings were light. Demand was light. Average local spot prices were higher. No interest in forward contracting was reported. Daytime high temperatures began in the 90s and dropped into the 80s. Overnight lows were in the low 70s. Heat advisories were in effect with heat index values up to 109 degrees. Scattered thunderstorms and spotty rain showers brought excessive but beneficial rainfall to the territory. Accumulated precipitation totals measured from around one and three-quarter inches to up to three and three-quarter inches of moisture. Although pesticides and herbicides are needed, producers avoided run-off by halting outdoor activities. Growers continued scouting to monitor plant bug activity. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor Report, rain improved soil moisture and streamflow in northeastern Arkansas and Tennessee. Although rain was essential to restoring moisture, some areas experienced flooding in fields. As cotton stands mature, experts will monitor fruit production. According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service s (NASS) Crop Progress report released on July 13, cotton squaring was near completion at 91 percent in Arkansas, 76 in Missouri, and 80 percent in Tennessee. Cotton conditions were mostly good to excellent in Arkansas but mostly fair to good in Missouri and Tennessee. Local experts attended in-person meetings on state and national levels. South Delta Trading of spot cotton and CCC-loan equities was inactive. Supplies and producer offerings were light. Demand was light. Average local spot prices were higher. No interest in forward contracting was reported. Intervals of sunny and cloudy skies prevailed during the reporting period. Heat advisories were issued by the National Weather Service with heat index values up to 108 degrees. Daytime high temperatures started in the 90s and dipped down into the 80s. Overnight lows were in the low 70s. Strong wind gust pushed through the region, accompanied by scattered showers. Accumulated rain totals measured from trace amounts to around two and three-quarter inches of rain. Increased rainfall restored moisture deficits across Mississippi and Louisiana. Water stood in low-lying fields, saturated fields and halted fieldwork. No insect pressure was reported. Thick leaf canopy coverage on stands protected blooms as the crop continued to mature. Limited weed growth was reported. Growers monitored their fields to ensure proper maturation of bolls. According to the NASS Crop Progress report released on July 13, cotton setting bolls was underway at 14 percent in Louisiana and 18 percent in Mississippi. Cotton conditions ranged mostly from fair to good in Louisiana and Mississippi. Local experts attended in-person meetings on state and national levels. 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 very light. Demand was very light. Average local spot prices were higher. Trading of CCC-loan equities was inactive. Light forward contracting activity was reported. Foreign mill inquiries were light. Interest was best from Korea, Pakistan, and Peru. Thunderstorm activity produced heavy rainfall accumulations in areas of central Texas this week. Daytime high temperatures ranged from the 70s to the 90s. Nighttime lows were in the 70s. Reported precipitation totals ranged from three-quarters of an inch up to over two and one-half inches of rain. Fields in the Brazos River Bottoms made good progress. Local sources reported that the crop is a little ahead. Extension Agents noted heavy stink bug populations and recommended treatments in the Brazos River Bottoms and the Blackland Prairies as pests move in from other crops. Some stink bug damage was reported in the Blacklands. Mostly cloudy conditions were observed in South Texas this week, with scattered summer-time showers bringing heavy rainfall to the Winter Garden area. Considerable cloudiness left daytime high temperatures in the 90s. Overnight lows were in the 70s and 80s. Total accumulated moisture ranged from trace amounts to just under four inches of precipitation. Extension experts reported increased plant bug activity across the region and recommended treatments. Some instances of boll injury were reported in the Coastal Bend. Bolls were cracking open in the Upper Coast. Fields were defoliated in the lower Rio Grande Valley (RGV). A few fields in the Coastal Bend are expected to be defoliated soon. Harvest is expected to begin in the next two weeks. Gins prepared for their season to begin as well, preparing machinery and planning startup dates. Local industry meetings were held during the period. West Texas-Kansas-Oklahoma Spot cotton trading was inactive. Supplies and producer offerings were light. Demand was very light. Average local spot prices were higher. 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 Peru. In Texas, below-average temperatures held daytime highs in the low 80s to upper 90s, with overnight lows in the 60s and 70s. Daily, scattered summer showers brought trace amounts to two and one-half inches of rainfall, though many areas remained dry. The precipitation was beneficial overall, but some fields experienced damage from high winds and periods of standing water. Crop development advanced with a good square set, and some stands had begun to bloom. Most dryland acres required critical moisture, while irrigated stands continued to progress. Producers applied fertilizer, weed control measures, and plant growth regulators as needed. Scouting remained active for thrips, flea hoppers, and lygus. In Kansas, daytime highs held steady in the low 90s, with nighttime temperatures in the 60s and 70s. Rainfall ranged from trace amounts to about one and one-quarter inches, with heavier totals reported near Moscow, KS. Abundant sunshine supported heat-unit accumulation and helped push stands toward blooming. Irrigation was applied. Chemistry mixes were increasingly complex, targeting multiple issues in a single application and were primarily applied by ground rigs to reduce the number of passes. Treatments included fertilizer, herbicides, insecticides, plant growth regulators, water conditioners, and surfactants. Scouting remained active for yield-robbing fleahoppers and lygus. Monitoring continued for Cotton Jassid, which has not been observed in Kansas to date. Daytime highs in Oklahoma ranged from the upper 80s to the low 100s, while nighttime lows were in the 60s and 70s. Intermittent thunderstorms produced precipitation ranging from trace amounts to more than two and one-half inches of much-needed moisture, with the greatest totals observed in the Panhandle and southwestern Oklahoma. The forecast indicated a slight chance for additional rainfall. Irrigation from wells continued, and some square loss was reported. Irrigated stands were in the squaring stage; however, the crop overall was beginning to bloom and approaching peak water demand. Weed pressure remained elevated and treatments were applied. Insect pressure was low, though scouting to protect early fruit retention was imperative to the final yield potential at harvest Trading East Texas/South Texas No trading activity was reported. West Texas, Kansas, & Oklahoma In Texas, mixed lots containing a light volume of color 13 and better, leaf 4 and better, staple 34-38, mike 31-51, strength 25-33, and uniformity 78-83, sold for 73.50 to 75.00 cents per pound, FOB car/truck, (compression charges not paid). In Oklahoma, an even-running lot containing a light volume of color 31 and 41, leaf 2-4, staple 38-40, mike 40-48, strength 34-37, and uniformity 81-84, sold for around 76.00 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. No forward contracting was reported. Average local prices were higher. Foreign mill inquiries were light. Scattered thunderstorms brought moisture to parts of southern Arizona and southern New Mexico. Daytime highs ranged across the region from the upper 90s to the 100s. Nightly lows were in the 60s to the 70s. Arizona experienced heavy monsoon activity during the week, resulting in flash flood warnings, strong wind, and blowing dust. Precipitation totals ranged from trace amounts up to over one-half of an inch in cotton-growing areas. Rainfall was beneficial to improve soil moisture, thus briefly reducing irrigation demand, according to local sources. Squaring was widespread, and cotton setting bolls increased. Pest pressures were light. 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 higher. Foreign mill inquiries were light. Clear and sunny skies prevailed in the SJV during the week. Daytime temperatures ranged from the 90s to the triple-digits. Nighttime lows were in the 60s to the 80s. Very light rainfall accumulations were reported, ranging from two to three tenths of an inch of moisture. Fields were irrigated to meet critical water demands as the crop advanced. Heat stress was a concern and wilting was reported as a result of the summer heat. Cotton squaring was widespread, and blooming was increasing across the region. Plant bug pressures were light, but producers applied treatments as needed. Local meetings were planned and attended. 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. Light foreign mill inquiries were reported. Interest was best from Pakistan. Hot conditions continued in the Far West this week, with rain showers and monsoon activity reported in the DSW. Daytime highs were in the 90s to the 100s, with overnight lows in the 60s to 80s. Precipitation totals ranged, with the heaviest accumulations of over one-half of an inch reported in southern Arizona and southern New Mexico. The crop advanced under warm temperatures. Spray treatments were applied for pests. The rain was helpful to briefly ease irrigation demands and improved soil moisture temporarily in Arizona. Stands were squaring. Light pest pressures were reported in the Far West. Local meetings were planned and attended. Save the Date: The Visalia Classing Office will host the annual American Pima Guide Box Matching on July 22, 2026. Trading Desert Southwest No trading activity was reported. San Joaquin Valley No trading activity was reported. American Pima No trading activity was reported. USDA, NASS, Crop Progress: Percentage of Upland Cotton Planted and Squaring The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service s Crop Progress report released on July 13 estimated that 60 percent of the U.S. upland cotton crop is squaring, 11 percent ahead of the previous week and one percent behind the five year average. Additionally, 22 percent of the cotton crop was setting bolls, eight percent ahead of the previous week, and equal to the five-year average.