DTN Closing Cotton            06/30 13:43

   Cotton Ends Higher Despite Larger 2026 Acreages 

   Despite an increase in 2026 acres, the cotton market finished somewhat 
higher today. 

Keith Brown
DTN Contributing Cotton Analyst

   Despite an increase in 2026 acres, the cotton market finished somewhat 
higher today. With acres in the rearview mirror, traders will now focus on 
growing conditions, export sales, and the jobs report before taking a holiday 
for the Fourth of July on Friday.

   USDA's acreage report showed U.S. all cotton planted area at 9.85 million 
acres, up 6% from last year. The amount was also higher than the March 31 
intentions number of 9.6 million acres. Plugging the data into the 
supply-demand table, the numbers suggest a 2026/2027 crop of 13.60 million 
bales, below last year's amount of 13.90 million.

   On Thursday, traders will see fresh export sales numbers from USDA. Last 
week, the current crop sales were 83,000 bales, off 53%, while shipments were 
some 300,000 bales, up 20%.

   India is off to a slow start for the new cotton season. The country has 
received only 42% of normal since the four-month long monsoon season started on 
June 1. Some regions the deficit is as high as 92%. Additionally, June was the 
driest month on record.

   With the observance of the Fourth of July, America's 250th, this Friday, the 
Labor Department will release its monthly jobs report on Thursday. Last month 
saw a job tally of 172,000, with an unemployment rate of 4.4%. Expectations for 
this week are 113,000 new non-farm jobs.

   For Tuesday, July closed at 72.22 cents, up 22 points; December closed at 
76.80 cents, plus 35 points; and March 2027 finished at 78.14 cents, up 34 
points. Tuesday's estimated volume was 37,771 contracts.

   Keith Brown can be reached at commodityconsults@gmail.com




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