USDA reports modest upland cotton sales, Pima exports rise

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) reported net sales of a modest 11,500 running bales (RB) of upland cotton for the 2025-26 marketing year (MY). Mexico was the leading buyer, accounting for 4,700 RB, followed by Costa Rica (3,500 RB), El Salvador (2,000 RB), and Japan (1,300 RB).

However, the overall upland cotton sales picture for the previous year, 2024-25, was marked by significant shifts. Net sales declined by a substantial 949,600 RB compared to the prior year. While India (43,600 RB), Mexico (40,400 RB),Costa Rica (25,900 RB), Turkey (15,100 RB), and Guatemala (5,000 RB) increased their purchases, these gains were offset by steep reductions from major buyers such as China (603,200 RB), Pakistan (372,200 RB), and Vietnam (111,800 RB).

For the 2023-24 marketing year, which concluded on July 31, total upland cotton exports reached 11,070,400 RB, a 6% decrease from the previous year's 11,777,500 RB. China remained the largest export destination, purchasing 273,400 RB, followed by Vietnam (121,900 RB), Pakistan (102,300 RB), Bangladesh (52,700 RB), and Mexico (41,500 RB).

In contrast to upland cotton, Pima cotton sales showed a different trend. Net sales for the 2024-25 marketing year totalled 7,700 RB, with Vietnam (2,200 RB), India (2,100 RB), China (1,600 RB), Pakistan (1,100 RB), and Egypt (400 RB) as the primary buyers.

Carryover sales from the previous year amounted to 29,100 RB. Total Pima cotton exports for the 2023-24 marketing year ended at 321,800 RB, a 6% increase over the prior year's 305,000 RB. India was the leading export destination for Pima cotton, purchasing 1,400 RB, followed by Turkey, Thailand, and Taiwan, each with 100 RB.