MP_cn206 Weekly Cotton Market Review January 23, 2026 Spot quotations averaged 81 points lower 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 60.27 cents per pound for the week ending Thursday, January 22, 2026. The weekly average was down from 61.08 cents last week, and down from 63.38 cents reported in the cor-responding period a year ago. Daily average quotations ranged from a low of 60.27 cents on Thursday, January 22 to a high of 60.98 cents on Friday, January 16. Spot transactions reported in the Daily Spot Cotton Quotations for the week ended January 22 totaled 76,253 bales. This compares to 105,975 reported last week and 58,050 bales reported the corresponding week a year ago. Total spot transactions for the season were 881,214 bales compared to 546,697 the corresponding week a year ago. The ICE March settlement price ended the week at 63.88 cents, compared to 64.71 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 weak. Trading of CCC-loan equities was inactive. A mix of sun and clouds was observed across the lower Southeast during the period with seasonably cold temperatures. Daytime high temperatures were in the 50s and 60s. Nighttime lows varied from the 20s to 40s. Over the weekend snow flurries and rainfall were received across the region. Weekly accumulated precipitation measured from one inch across the Florida Panhandle, South Georgia, and Alabama with slightly heavier totals recorded farther north. Fieldwork and harvest activities were delayed due to wet conditions. Ginning neared completion and some gins remained on gin days as they waited for backlogs of modules to arrive on gin yards from the last harvested fields. A winter storm bringing damaging snow, sleet, and freezing rain was forecast for the approaching weekend. Producers, ginners, and industry members made plans to attend meetings scheduled for early 2026. Similar weather conditions were observed across the upper Southeast during the period. Daytime high temperatures were in the 40s and 50s. Nighttime lows were in the 20s and 30s. Light moisture was received across cotton growing areas of the eastern Carolinas and Virginia. Weekly accumulated precipitation totals measured around one inch of moisture. Harvesting and fieldwork were delayed as soils were too soft to support equipment. Ginning neared completion as some gins remained on gin days as they waited for the last modules to arrive from fields. A winter storm bringing damaging snow, sleet, and freezing rain was forecast for the approaching weekend. 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 April through June delivery. No sales were reported. Finished product demand was reported as steady. Mill buyers maintained a cautious undertone. Demand through export channels was moderate. Agents throughout the Far East inquired for any discounted styles of cotton. No sales were reported. Trading • A heavy volume of color 31 and 41 leaf 2 and 3, staple 35 and longer, mike 37-49, strength 27-30, and uniformity 80-83 sold for around 69.25 cents, FOB car/truck, Georgia terms (Rule 5, compression charges paid, 30 days free storage). • A moderate volume of color 31 and 41, leaf 3 and 4, staple 35 and longer, mike 43-49, strength 28-32, and uniformity 79-82 sold for around 150 on ICE March futures, same terms as above. • A moderate volume of color 31 and 41, leaf 3 and 4, staple 36 and 37, mike 43-49, strength 27-30, and uniformity 79-81 sold for around 68.50 cents, same terms as above. • A moderate volume of color 31 and 41, leaf 3 and 4, staple 34 and longer, mike 33-49, strength 27-32, and uniformity 78-81 sold for around 64.75 cents, same terms as above. South Central Markets Regional Summary North Delta Spot cotton trading was inactive. Supplies and producer offerings were light. Demand was very light. Average local spot prices were weak. No forward contracting is expected to happen until the price of raw-cotton rebounds. Intervals of cloudy to sunny skies were persistent and varied throughout the reporting period. Wintry winds pushed through the region bringing chilling daytime and nighttime temperatures. Daytime temperature highs began in the 50s and dropped into the 20s. Abundant sunshine after chilling rain showers helped increase temperatures into the low 50s. Overnight lows were in the teens to 40s. Precipitation totals measured from trace amounts to around one-half of an inch of rain. According to the National Weather Service, a severe winter storm is in the nearby forecast with a mix of snow and freezing rain. Around three inches of snow is expected to cover cotton growing areas. Wind gusts are expected to be as high as 30 miles per hour in Arkansas, in the Missouri Bootheel, and in Tennessee. Moisture levels are adequate to lightly droughted. No Fieldwork was reported. Producers continued to monitor commodity prices, while others prepared to sell farming equipment. Ginning continued to gain headway in Arkansas and Missouri nearing completion each day. Virtual and in-person meetings were being planned and held in local farming territories. 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 weak. There was no interest in forward contracting. Producers waited for prices to be restored to fix prices on their current-crop cotton. Cloudy skies prevailed during most of the period. Plentiful sunshine after light rainfall helped regulate daytime highs in the 30s to 50s. Nighttime lows were in the low 20s, rising into the low 40s. Precipitation totals measured trace amounts to around three-quarters of an inch of rain. According to the National Weather Service, a severe winter storm is forecast and is expected to bring heavy snowfall and freezing rain. Some producers were eager about the wintry precipitation in hopes that it would restore much needed moisture to overly droughted cropland. No fieldwork was reported in cotton-growing areas. Local experts are expecting to see a decrease in planted acres for the upcoming crop season. Virtual and in-person meetings were being planned and held in local farming territories. 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 weak. Producer interest in forward contracting was light. Trading of CCC-loan equities was inactive. Foreign mill inquiries were moderate. Interest was best from Bangladesh, China, Pakistan, Taiwan, and Vietnam. In East Texas, mostly sporadic rain showers and overcast conditions were experienced throughout the week. Daytime temperatures were in the 50s to the 60s. Nighttime temperatures in the 20s to the 50s. A winter storm pattern is forecasted to move into the region with the potential for snow, sleet, and icy conditions. Any precipitation received will be beneficial to fortify sub-soil moisture and return nutrients to the fields. Ahead of wet conditions, producers completed fieldwork and applied fertilizers in fields. According to local experts, acreage is anticipated to be like last year’s planted acreage in central Texas as most producers are expected to stick to normal crop rotations. Spotty showers lingered in the South Texas region during the week, producing a light accumulation of rainfall. An arctic blast is forecast to move into the territory by week’s end, producing a wintry mix in areas of the Upper Coast and Coastal Bend and bring additional rainfall to areas of the lower Rio Grande Valley. Daytime high temperatures were in the 50s to the 80s. Nighttime temperatures were in the 30s to the 60s. Fieldwork continued. Producers applied fertilizers and prepped fields for planting. Industry meetings were being planned and attended. West Texas-Kansas-Oklahoma Spot cotton trading was active. Supplies were heavy. Producer offerings were moderate. Demand was moderate. Average local spot prices were steady. Producer interest in forward contracting was light. Trading of CCC-loan equities was active. Foreign mill inquiries were moderate. Interest was best from Bangladesh, China, Pakistan, Taiwan, and Vietnam. A widespread winter storm was in the nearby forecast and expected to bring ice and heavy snow to the cotton producing areas of Texas, eastern New Mexico, Kansas, and Oklahoma. The mild, dry winter weather will shift on Friday, January 23, into a potentially dangerous storm. Most of the operating gins were ginning 24 hours daily, but scheduled closures Friday, January 23 through Sunday, January 25 in anticipation of snow, sleet, and ice. For this reporting period from Friday, January 16 through Thursday, January 22, daytime highs in Texas ranged from the low 30s to the low 60s, while overnight temperatures dipped into the teens to the 40s. Conditions were dry, and periodically windy. In the Rolling Plains, some producers continued stripper harvesting activities. Modules in the fields were transported to the gin yards. Many ginning plants finished seasonal bale pressing services, though some operations were projected to continue into February and March. Daytime temperatures across Kansas fluctuated from the upper 20s into the mid-50s, with nighttime lows dipping into the lower teens to upper 20s. Western Kansas received light snowfall, but an Arctic cold front, referred to as Fern, was forecast to enter the state on Friday, January 23. Ginning operations continued and pressing services were anticipated to run through March. Modules remained in the fields and were transported to the gin yards as space became available. Field and ginning activity was largely paused as winter storms passed through. In southwestern Oklahoma, daytime highs ranged from the upper 30s to the lower 60s, while overnight lows settled into the teens to 30s. Dry conditions persisted. Ginning operations were completed at some plants, but a few continued at a steady pace and were expected to offer pressing services for another 30 days. Gin yards were at capacity and modules remained in the fields awaiting pick-up and a ride to the gins. Trading East Texas/South Texas • No trading activity was reported. West Texas, Kansas, & Oklahoma • In Texas, lots containing a heavy volume of mostly color 11, 21, and 12, leaf 3 and better, staple 36 to 38, mike 38-44, strength 29-32, and uniformity 80-84 sold for 62.75 to 64.25 cents per pound, FOB car/truck, (compression charges not paid). • Mixed lots containing a heavy volume of color 23 and better, leaf 3 and better, staple 35-37, mike 33-50, strength 28-34, uniformity 78-82, and 25 percent extraneous matter sold for 56.75 to 58.00 cents, same terms as above. • In Kansas, mixed lots containing a heavy volume of color 31-52, leaf 3-8, staple 37-39, mike 36-45, strength 31-35, uniformity 80-84, and 25 percent extraneous matter sold for 54.75 to 59.50 cents, same terms as above. • A heavy volume of mixed lot containing color 22-33, leaf 2-5, staple 35-37, mike 25-35, strength 26-34, and uniformity 79-83 sold for around 53.00 cents, same terms as above. • In Oklahoma, a lot containing a heavy volume of color 22 and better, leaf 4 and better, staple 38-42, mike 31-50, strength 28-35, and uniformity 78-85 sold for around 65.25 cents, same terms as above. • A mixed lot containing a heavy volume of color 21 to 41, leaf 2-4, staple 39-40, mike 35-45, strength 30-35, and uniformity 80-84 sold for around 63.25 cents, same terms as above. • A heavy volume of CCC-loan equities sold for 5.00 to 6.25 cents. 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. Weather conditions in central Arizona were sunny to partly cloudy. Warm daily temperatures in the 70s and 80s were above average for this time of year. Nightly lows were in the 40s and 50s. No rain was recorded during the period. In southeastern parts of Arizona, daily temperatures were in the mid-to-upper 60s under clear and sunny skies. Nighttime temperatures dipped below freezing into the 20s. A cold front is in the nearby forecast and is expected to bring cooler temperatures and chances for rain. Gins continued pressing operations. In New Mexico and El Paso, TX, skies were clear and sunny with daytime temperatures in the 50s and 60s. Nightly lows were in the 20s and 30s. No rainfall was recorded during the period, but rain chances are in the nearby forecast. Ginning neared completion. Producers attended annual meetings and discussed planting intentions for the upcoming season. 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 weak. Foreign mill inquiries were light. Morning fog and cloudy skies were prevalent throughout the report period. Daily temperatures were in the 50s and 60s, with overnight lows in the 40s. No rainfall was recorded in the period. Producers attended annual meetings and discussed planting intentions for the upcoming season. 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. Interest was best from India and China. In the San Joaquin Valley, daily temperatures were the 50s and 60s. Nightly lows were in the 40s. No rain was recorded during the period. In Arizona, and El Paso, TX, weather conditions were clear and sunny. Daily temperatures were mild in the 50s and 60s, but nighttime lows cooled below freezing into 20s. No rainfall was recorded during the period, but rain chances are in the nearby forecast. Ginning neared completion. Throughout the Far West producers attended annual meetings and discussed planting intentions for the upcoming season. Trading Desert Southwest • No trading activity was reported. San Joaquin Valley • No trading activity was reported. American Pima • No trading activity was reported.