ICE’s most active December 2025 contract settled at 67.60 cents per pound (0.453 kg), up 0.04 cent. Other contracts closed between 39 points higher and 20 points lower. Trading volume was 19,595 contracts, the second-lightest of 2025 (lowest was 18,619 on July 23), compared with 32,375 contracts cleared yesterday. ICE deliverable No. 2 cotton inventory fell to 16,006 packages on August 19, from 17,017 packages the prior day.
Crude oil prices rose about 2 per cent on a larger-than-expected US crude draw, while Ukraine conflict talks and Russian crude sanctions remained in focus. Rising crude oil costs increased polyester fibre prices, indirectly supporting cotton’s competitiveness. India suspended its 11 per cent cotton import tariff until September 30, signalling support for the apparel industry. Experts consider this a short-term positive for global cotton trade.
The market continues to move in line with recent months, awaiting a catalyst for a directional shift. Attention is now on Thursday’s USDA weekly export sales report, expected to shed light on US cotton demand, and Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s Jackson Hole speech on Friday, which will guide the interest rate outlook.
Currently, ICE cotton for December 2025 traded at 67.61 cents per pound (up 0.01 cent). Cash cotton stood at 65.39 cents (up 0.39 cent), the October 2025 contract at 66.64 cents (up 0.39 cent), the March 2026 contract at 69.25 cents (up 0.01 cent), the May 2026 contract at 70.50 cents (down 0.02 cent), and the July 2026 contract at 71.25 cents (up 0.01 cent). A few contracts remained unchanged, with no trading recorded today.
ALCHEMPro News Desk (KUL)
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