Mp_cn206 Weekly Cotton Market Review January 16, 2026 Spot quotations averaged 18 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 61.08 cents per pound for the week ending Thursday, January 15, 2026. The weekly average was up from 60.90 cents last week, but down from 63.23 cents reported in the corresponding period a year ago. Daily average quotations ranged from a low of 60.70 cents on Friday, January 9 to a high of 61.31 cents on Wednesday, January 14. Spot transactions reported in the Daily Spot Cotton Quotations for the week ended January 15 totaled 105,975 bales. This compares to 163,163 reported last week and 55,511 bales reported the corresponding week a year ago. Total spot transactions for the season were 810,961 bales compared to 488,647 the corresponding week a year ago. The ICE March settlement price ended the week at 64.71 cents, compared to 64.46 cents last week. Southeastern Markets Regional Summary Spot cotton trading was moderate. Supplies were moderate. Demand was good. Producer offerings were moderate. Average local spot prices were steady. Trading of CCC-loan equities was inactive. Overcast and wet weather conditions prevailed across the lower Southeast over the weekend, bringing light to moderate precipitation. A high-pressure system entered the region early in the week bringing dry, sunny, and seasonably colder temperatures. Daytime highs in the 70s early in the period dipped into the 50s as the week progressed. Nighttime lows dropped into the 20s and 30s. Weekly accumulated rainfall totals measured from trace amounts to around one-half of an inch of precipitation, with the heaviest totals recorded in north Alabama and south Georgia. A winter storm in the forecast has the potential to bring freezing temperatures, snowfall, and flurries from areas of the Gulf of America to the Atlantic coastal region in the near term. Harvesting neared completion as fieldwork continued in areas where soils were firm enough to support equipment. Many gins had finished pressing operations for the season and others remained on gin days as they waited for backlogs of modules to build on gin yards. Producers, ginners, and industry members made plans to attend meetings scheduled for early 2026. Mostly cloudy conditions over the weekend gave way to abundant sunshine as the week progressed across the upper Southeast. Daytime high temperatures were in the 80s, but dipped into the 40s and 50s later in the week. Mostly dry conditions prevailed, with the occasional stray shower bringing trace amounts of precipitation to some locales. A winter storm in the forecast has the potential to bring freezing temperatures, snowfall, and flurries to the region over the weekend. Harvesting and fieldwork advanced without interruption and neared completion. Most gins had finished pressing operations for the season and others remained on gin days as they waited for backlogs of modules to accumulate on gin yards. Producers, ginners, and industry members made plans to attend meetings scheduled for early 2026. Textile Mill Domestic mill buyers inquired for a moderate volume of color 42 and 51, leaf 4 and better, and staple 35 and longer for second quarter delivery. No sales were reported. Finished product demand was reported as steady. Mill buyers maintained a cautious undertone. Demand through export channels was moderate. Representatives for mills in Vietnam inquired for a moderate volume of color 31, leaf 3, and staple 37 for prompt shipment. Agents for mills in Costa Rica inquired for a moderate volume of color 31, leaf 3, and staple 36 for February through September shipment. No sales were reported. Trading • A moderate volume of color 31 and 41, leaf 3 and 4, staple 36 and 37, mike 37-49, strength 28-31, and uniformity 80-83 sold for around 66.75 cents per pound, FOB car/truck (Rule 5, compression charges paid). • Mixed lots containing a moderate volume of color mostly 51, leaf 3-5, staple 35 and longer, mike 35-42, strength 27-30, and uniformity 79-81 sold for around 60.00 cents per pound, FOB car/truck, Georgia terms (Rule 5, compression charges paid, 30 days free storage). • A moderate volume of color 31 and 41, leaf 2 and 3, staple 34-36, mike 33-49, strength 28-32, and uniformity 78-81 sold for around 65.00 cents, same terms as above). • A light volume of color 51 and better, leaf 2-4, staple 35 and longer, mike 43-52, strength 28-32, and uniformity 80-83 sold for around 150 points on ICE March futures, same terms as above. South Central Markets Regional Summary North Delta Spot cotton trading was inactive. Supplies and producer offerings were light. Demand was light. Average local spot prices were steady. Producers were waiting for prices to be restored to determine their pre-season crop price. Heavy cloudiness with light rain showers over the weekend brought cold weather conditions to the region, plummeting temperatures. Daytime highs dropped from the 60s into the 30s. Nighttime lows dropped from the 50s into the 20s and 30s. Abundant sunshine mid-week helped restore temperatures temporarily, until afternoon rain showers late in the week cooled temperatures once again. Rainfall totals up to one inch was recorded. Field activities halted until fields were firm enough to withstand equipment. In Arkansas, Missouri, and Tennessee topsoil moisture levels have been restored in cotton-growing areas. According to local experts, forward contracting activity is expected to be light throughout the region for the upcoming crop if commodity prices do not rebound. Warehouses remained full. A total of five gins continue to operate, but are nearing completion. South Delta Spot cotton trading was slow. Supplies of available cotton were light. Demand was light. Average local spot prices were steady. Trading of CCC-loan equities were inactive. Merchants purchased a light volume of cotton forfeited to the CCC-loan. Local experts continued to monitor commodity prices in hopes of an increase. Seasonable cold temperatures were persistent during the period. Afternoon cloudiness with rain chilled daytime temperatures from the low 70s into the low 40s. Overnight lows plummeted from the low 50s into the 20s and 30s. Morning fog warnings were issued at the beginning of the week. Rainfall brought around one and one-half inches of rain. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor report released on January 15, drought intensity was mostly abnormal in Mississippi. In Louisiana, drought intensity ranged mostly from abnormal to moderate drought. Some growers are determining pre-season acreage based on drought conditions. Field activities consisted of applying herbicides to fields to eliminate weeds before planting competitive crops. Market participants expressed concerns about low commodity prices. Cotton was being moved from small warehouses to bigger warehouses in some areas, and shipped out of warehouses for exporting in other locales. Ginning operations have been completed. Trading North Delta • No trading activity was reported. South Delta • A light volume of 2024-crop CCC-loan cotton, containing color 52 and better, leaf 3-5, staple 36-38, mike averaging 45.0, strength averaging 28.8, uniformity averaging 81.1, and 100 percent extraneous matter (plastic) sold for around 11.50 cents per pound, FOB warehouse (compression charges not paid). Southwestern Markets Regional Summary East Texas-South Texas Spot cotton trading was slow. Supplies and producer offerings were moderate. Demand was moderate. Average local spot prices were steady. Forward contracting was completed for the season. Trading of CCC-loan equities was inactive. Foreign mill inquiries were moderate. Interest was best from Bangladesh, Taiwan, and Vietnam. Mostly sunny and partly cloudy climatic conditions were observed in East Texas this week. Daytime temperatures were in the 50s to the 70s, with chilly nighttime temperatures in the 30s to the 40s. Thunderstorms entering the region mid-week produced rain totals ranging from trace amounts up to one and one-half of an inch of moisture in some parts of the region. Chances for additional precipitation were in the forecast. Producers completed fieldwork and made financial plans. Predominately clear and dry weather continued in the Upper Coast, Coastal Bend, and lower Rio Grande Valley (RGV) region during the week. Daytime high temperatures ranged from the 50s to the 80s, with nighttime temperatures cooling off into the 30s to 50s. Light, isolated showers mid-week produced moisture accumulations varying from trace amounts in the Coastal Bend and lower RGV up to one-quarter of an inch in areas of the Upper Coast. Additional chances for rainfall were in the forecast and would be beneficial to ease droughty soil conditions as producers make planting decisions. Fieldwork activity was picking up. Growers cleaned up fields in preparation for planting and applied fertilizers. Other activities included financial planning, planting decisions, and attending local meetings. Producers attended the Rio Grande Valley Cotton and Grain Pre-Plant Conference on January 14 in Monte Alto, TX. According to local experts, areas of the Coastal Bend are expected to maintain the same number of planted acreage as last year, but total acreage is still yet to be determined in other parts of the South Texas region as not all planting decisions have been made at this point. West Texas-Kansas-Oklahoma Spot cotton trading was active. Supplies and producer offerings were heavy. Demand was moderate. Average local spot prices were firm. Forward contracting was completed for the season. Trading of CCC-loan equities was active. Foreign mill inquiries were moderate. Interest was best from Bangladesh, Taiwan, and Vietnam. Abnormally dry to moderate drought conditions persisted across West Texas, with pockets slipping into severe drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. The ongoing lack of meaningful winter precipitation has become a concern among industry leaders. Daytime highs ranged from the upper 40s to the low 70s, while overnight temperatures dipped into the teens to the 40s. A brief, spotty round of light rain fell early in the period, but was quickly absorbed as gusty winds developed. Harvesting was nearly complete. Remaining modules were trucked to the gin yards. Many ginning plants had finished seasonal bale pressing services, though some operations were expected to continue into February. Daytime temperatures across Kansas fluctuated from the upper 30s into the mid-60s, with nighttime lows dipping into the teens to 30s. A cold front brought beneficial rainfall and occasional gusty winds. Ginning continued. Hundreds of modules remained in the fields and were transported to the gin yards when space became available. Some irrigated fields were strip-tilled, and planting seed was booked for next season. Industry remained optimistic because of the excellent yields. In southwestern Oklahoma, daytime highs ranged from the upper 50s to the low 70s, while overnight lows settled into the 20s to 40s. Dry conditions persisted. Harvesting was virtually completed. Ginning operations continued at a steady pace. Trading East Texas/South Texas • Mixed lots containing a heavy volume of color 31 and better, leaf 1-4, staple 37-39, mike 37-49, strength 28-33, and uniformity 79-83 traded for 64.50 to 65.00 cents per pound, FOB warehouse, (compression charges not paid). West Texas, Kansas, & Oklahoma • In Texas, lots containing a heavy volume of color 22 and better, leaf 3 and better, staple 35 to 37, mike 33-51, strength 27-35, and uniformity 78-82 sold for 61.00 to 63.50 cents per pound, FOB car/truck, (compression charges not paid). • Mixed lots containing a heavy volume of color 22 and better, leaf 4 and better, staple 33-37, mike 32-51, strength 26-30, and uniformity 78-82 sold for 57.50 to 58.50 cents, same terms as above. • In Kansas, lots containing a moderate volume of color 41 and better, leaf 5 and better, staple 36-37, mike 29-38, strength 30-34, and uniformity 77-81 sold for 58.25 to 60.25 cents, same terms as above. • A moderate volume of mixed lots containing color 31-23, leaf 3-6, staple 36-40, mike 25-38, strength 26-32, uniformity 76-82, and 50 percent extraneous matter sold for 52.00 to 55.00 cents, same terms as above. • In Oklahoma, lots containing a heavy volume of color 21 and 31, leaf 4 and better, staple 36-40, mike 34-46, strength 29-33, and uniformity 78-83 sold for 63.75 to 64.00 cents, same terms as above. • Mixed lots containing a heavy volume of color 21 and 31, leaf 3 and better, staple 35-37, mike 28-49, strength 30-34, and uniformity 79-83 sold for 56.50 to 61.00 cents, same terms as above. Western Markets Regional Summary Desert Southwest (DSW) Spot cotton trading was inactive. Supplies were moderate and producer offerings were light. Demand was light. Average local prices were steady. No forward contracting or domestic mill activity was reported. Foreign mill inquiries were light. Sunny to partly cloudy skies were prevalent in central Arizona. Daily temperatures were in the 60s and 70s, with overnight lows mostly in the 40s. No significant amount of rainfall was recorded in the period. In southeastern parts of Arizona, daily temperatures were cool at the beginning of the period with highs in the 50s and nightly lows in the 30s. Ginning continued. Most gins are estimating they will operate until the first part of February, with one operating into March. In New Mexico and El Paso, Texas daytime temperatures were mostly in the 50s and 60s. No significant amount of rainfall was recorded in the period. Ginning neared completion. 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. Daytime high temperatures were in the 50s and 60s. Overnight lows were in the high 30s to low 40s. No rainfall was recorded in the period. Recent rains have been beneficial for topsoil moisture, but more rain and snow are needed to help replenish the reservoir systems. Ginning continued. The statewide snow water equivalent was reported at 10 inches, which is 38 percent of the April 1 average and 80 percent of normal for this date, according to the California Department of Water Resources on January 15. Ginning continued. 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. Weather conditions throughout the Far West were cloudy to partly cloudy. High temperatures ranged from the 50s to 70s, with nightly lows ranging from the 30s to the 50s. No significant amount of rain was recorded during the period. In Arizona, ginning continues and most will complete operations for the season by the first of February. In California, recent rains have been beneficial for topsoil moisture, but more rain and snow are needed to help replenish the reservoir systems. Ginning continued. The statewide snow water equivalent was reported at 10 inches, which is 38 percent of the April 1 average and 80 percent of normal for this date, according to the California Department of Water Resources on January 15. Trading Desert Southwest • No trading activity was reported. San Joaquin Valley • No trading activity was reported. American Pima • No trading activity was reported.