Portuguese cotton often uses imported American cotton fiber.

• Farmers want domestic processing for higher profit margins.

• Bridge payments highlight need for supply chain independence

David Dunlow has grown cotton for 40 years, and he wants to continue.

Dunlow farms with his son, William, in Northampton County, N.C. The current economic outlook for cotton, he said, is the worst he has experienced. First thing the industry needs is legislation to stop its fiscal bleeding.

The cotton industry is responding and working to improve that grim outlook through several projects, initiatives and with legislation.

The National Cotton Council recently launched an innovative campaign called Plant Not Plastic aimed at addressing the growing concerns surrounding microplastics and their impact on human health and the environment. 

The nearby March contract, as expected, closed the week in search of the expiring December contract’s 62-64 cent level. The contract made its first weekly close below 64 cents, closing at 63.91 cents. It fell below the 10-day trading range, losing 78 points on the week.

Cotton continues to get hammered. Or call it by any name you wish. The impact of the government shutdown continues, as now in the third week of November, USDA finally released its export report for mid-October. They will catch up, but very slowly. Nevertheless, the reports are revealing nothing that the market had not previously told us—very little export demand even at fire sale prices. There will be no surprises in the historical data.

The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol, the leading program for responsibly grown U.S. Cotton, today released its 2024/25 Annual Report, a pivotal five-year milestone confirming its more than 1,500 grower members have achieved meaningful gains across all six of its sustainability metrics against a 2015 baseline.

We are nearing the very end of cotton harvest here in Louisiana, with the exception of a some later planted acres. So far, growers have reported picking around 1,200 lbs. to 1,600 lbs., with some reports nearing or surpassing 2,000 lbs. per acre. We will have a better estimate on a state lint yield average once turnout numbers start rolling in. Regardless, we are looking well on track to smash the state yield average from the past few years.

Cotton continues to get hammered. Or call it by any name you wish. The impact of the government shutdown continues, as now in the third week of November, USDA finally released its export report for mid-October. They will catch up, but very slowly.

Cotton prices continue to back and fill, which is excellent compared to the downtrend of recent months. Any “filling” implies the market found its price bottom.

The market marches on. We will not know if the absence of government reports had a direct impact on the market until reports begin anew. Likely, the impact will be minor and meaningless. Yet, who knows?

The Cotton Board and Cotton Incorporated 2024 Annual Reports are now available online. The annual reports for both companies include letters from the respective chairman, departmental highlights, detailed financial information, and board rosters.