Global cotton prices soften in the past month as key benchmarks slip

December NY/ICE futures, which briefly attempted a recovery in late October after falling below 66 cents per lb in September, failed to reclaim that level and have since slipped to 62 cents. The March contract, which carried a premium of up to three cents per lb earlier, has eased to around 64 cents recently.

The A Index traded within a narrow 74–78 cents per lb band, reflecting steady international demand. China’s CC Index 3128B remained firm at around 94 cents per lb in international terms and close to 14,750 RMB per ton domestically, supported by a stable RMB near 7.12 RMB per USD, according to the Cotton Incorporated’s Monthly Economic Letter - Cotton Market Fundamentals & Price Outlook, November 2025.

In South Asia, price movements were mixed. India’s Shankar-6 spot cotton fell from 78 to 74 cents per lb, translating to a decline from ₹54,800 to ₹51,700 per candy, amid a rupee hovering at ₹88 per USD. Pakistan’s spot market was comparatively stable, with prices holding near 68 cents per lb or 15,600 PKR per maund, supported by a steady exchange rate around 281 PKR per USD.

These muted price shifts indicate continued global softness, shaped by weak textile demand, currency stability in key producing countries and cautious buying across major consuming regions.

ALCHEMPro News Desk (KD)