Upland cotton demand up in October 16 export week: USDA

According to the USDA export report, Vietnam led purchases during the week, followed by Mexico, Turkiye and Pakistan, indicating continued engagement from key Asian and regional spinning hubs. China’s buying remained modest but positive, complemented by additional orders from Indonesia, Japan, India and Bangladesh. These shifts suggest that mills are selectively securing supply rather than aggressively stocking, consistent with cautious sentiment across the textile value chain.

Export shipments of Upland cotton totalled 159,600 RB, slightly higher than the previous week. Vietnam, Mexico, Pakistan and Honduras were among the primary destinations receiving shipments, signalling stable logistical flow despite regional demand variability. Outstanding Upland sales reached 3.251 million RB, down from 4.156 million RB a year earlier, highlighting mills’ preference for shorter booking cycles amid uncertain market conditions.

Net new sales of Pima cotton remained moderate at 5,000 RB, reflecting softer sentiment following earlier periods of strong buying. The volume was below previous levels but still within expected seasonal ranges. Shipments of Pima cotton were reported at 5,100 RB, marginally lower than the prior week, with India, Peru, Vietnam and Bangladesh among the key destinations. No next-marketing-year sales were reported for either Upland or Pima during the period.

The weekly trend underscores a cautiously improving trade pattern shaped by measured mill procurement and steady downstream yarn orders rather than speculative buying. For Asian textile producers, including India, Bangladesh, Vietnam and Pakistan, the report suggests stable sourcing behaviour aligned with fluctuating yarn demand and margin pressures. As the season progresses, export momentum will depend on global consumption recovery, winter retail sell-through and competitive supply dynamics among the US, Brazil and Australia.

ALCHEMPro News Desk (KUL)