Cotlook Index: 05-11-2026
89.90 (+1.00)
ICE cotton futures extend gains on strong US export sales
Friday, 6th Nov. 2026, (Source: www.fibre2fashion.com)
Insights
ICE cotton futures rose for a second session as December 2026 settled 0.77 per cent higher at 78.71 cents per pound. Gains were supported by strong US export sales, a weaker dollar and higher crude oil prices, which can lift polyester costs. USDA said upland sales rose 28 per cent to 277,522 bales; China sales were just 87 bales, and resistance is near 79.06–80.00 cents.
ICE cotton futures extended gains for the second consecutive session on Thursday, supported by strong US export sales, a weaker dollar and higher crude oil prices. The most active December 2026 contract settled 60 points, or 0.77 per cent, higher at 78.71 cents per pound, compared with 78.11 cents in the previous session. The contract gained 167 points over two sessions amid a broader market recovery following the US mid-term elections.According to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), net upland cotton export sales reached 277,522 bales for the week ended October 29, up 28 per cent from the previous week and 52 per cent from the four-week average. However, sales to mainland China were negligible at just 87 bales. Export shipments declined by 14 per cent to 137,782 bales, including 4,169 bales shipped to China.A weaker US dollar improved the competitiveness of American cotton in overseas markets. Meanwhile, Brent crude futures rose by more than $3 per barrel amid renewed supply concerns, potentially increasing polyester production costs and supporting cotton’s competitiveness.Market analysts described the recovery as a technical rebound with follow-through buying, suggesting that downside potential remained limited.Market participants are monitoring resistance at 79.06–79.23 cents, followed by 79.80–80.00 cents, while support is seen at 77.05 and 76.85 cents. Attention is also focused on the December/March contract roll beginning on November 6, dollar movements, harvest progress and the December contract’s first notice day on November 23.This morning (Indian Standard Time), December 2026 cotton traded at 78.68 cents per pound (down 0.03 cent). Cash cotton was quoted at 76.46 cents per pound (up 0.60 cent), while the March 2027 contract traded at 82.50 cents per pound (down 0.05 cent). The May 2027 contract traded at 83.91 cents per pound (down 0.15 cent), the July 2027 contract at 84.10 cents per pound (down 0.39 cent), and the October 2027 contract at 78.48 cents per pound (up 0.61 cent). A few contracts remained at their previous closing levels, with no trading recorded so far today.
India's rail freight loading rises 8.32% in October 2026
Friday, 6th Nov. 2026, (Source: www.fibre2fashion.com)
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Indian Railways loaded a record 145.07 million tonnes of freight in October 2026, up 8.32 per cent year on year, Ministry of Railways said. Commodity growth was led by food grains, up 26.3 per cent, and domestic coal, up 16.0 per cent; domestic containers rose 6.3 per cent. April-October FY 2026-27 loading rose 4.67 per cent to 978.78 million tonnes, above 935.10 million tonnes a year earlier.
Indian Railways loaded 145.07 million tonnes of freight in October 2026, its highest-ever loading for the month and 8.32 per cent above 133.93 million tonnes in October 2025, the Ministry of Railways said.Commodity categories registered broad growth during the month, including food grains, up 26.3 per cent; domestic coal, 16.0 per cent; balance other goods, 11.0 per cent; clinker, 10.4 per cent; domestic containers, 6.3 per cent; iron ore, 5.0 per cent; mineral oil, 1.9 per cent; and finished steel, 0.5 per cent. For power houses, domestic coal transport averaged 469.8 rakes a day in October 2026, compared with 393.2 rakes a day in the same month last year, a 19.5 per cent increase. In the first seven months of FY 2026-27, April-October 2026, freight loading reached 978.78 million tonnes, compared with 935.10 million tonnes in the corresponding period of the previous year, marking growth of 4.67 per cent and surpassing the April-October performance of FY 2025-26, the Ministry of Railways said in a release. The ministry also said higher freight loading and increased freight earnings reflected Indian Railways' role in supporting the country's logistics sector, but it did not provide a freight-earnings figure.
Madhya Pradesh Azad Nagar Sub-Mandi Holds First Auction, Cotton Hits ₹9,011
Friday, 6th Nov. 2026, by Yash Chouhan, (Source: www.smartinfoindia.com)
Madhya Pradesh: First Auction Held at Azad Nagar Sub-Mandi; Cotton Sold for Up to ₹9,011 A total of 118 quintals of maize and cotton arrived on the first day; farmers gain a new venue to sell their produce. (SIS) On Thursday, November 5, the auction process for notified agricultural produce commenced for the first time at the Azad Nagar (Bhabhra) sub-mandi premises in Alirajpur district. A total of 118 quintals of maize and cotton were recorded on the opening day. During the auction, traders placed bids on various lots to purchase the farmers' produce. The highest price fetched for cotton was ₹9,011 per quintal.Auction Commences in the Presence of Officials The launch of the auction process at the sub-mandi was attended by SDM Deepika Patidar, Tehsildar Dinesh Vyas, and Jobat Grain Mandi Secretary Lakshmi Bhanwar, alongside mandi staff and traders. The procurement of agricultural produce began through a formal bidding process conducted in the presence of these officials. Cotton Prices: Minimum ₹8,475, Maximum ₹9,011 On the first day, 62 quintals of cotton arrived at the Azad Nagar sub-mandi. According to available data, the sales were as follows: 18 quintals at ₹8,500/quintal, 20 quintals at ₹8,475/quintal, 15 quintals at ₹8,500/quintal, 5 quintals at ₹9,011/quintal, and 4 quintals at ₹8,541/quintal. (SIS) Consequently, the cotton prices on the first day ranged from a minimum of ₹8,475 per quintal to a maximum of ₹9,011 per quintal. Traders purchased the cotton by placing bids on the various lots. A New Option for Farmers to Sell Produce The commencement of auctions at the Azad Nagar (Bhabhra) sub-mandi provides farmers in the region with an additional local venue to sell their agricultural produce. This will provide farmers with an additional option for selling their produce. At the same time, traders will also have the opportunity to purchase agricultural produce directly within the sub-market premises. (SIS) Following an initial arrival of 118 quintals on the first day of auctions, the volume of agricultural produce arriving at the sub-market is expected to increase in the coming days. The procurement of maize, cotton, and other notified agricultural commodities is likely to boost agricultural trade in the region.
Khandwa Mandi: Cotton Auctions on Dhanteras and Bhai Dooj, Grain Trading Suspended
Friday, 6th Nov. 2026, by Yash Chouhan, (Source: www.smartinfoindia.com)
Cotton auctions to be held at the Mandi during Dhanteras and Bhai Dooj; grain procurement to remain suspended Due to the Diwali festival, the auctioning of food grains at the Agricultural Produce Market (Mandi) in Khandwa will remain suspended from November 6 to November 11. However, cotton auctions will continue to take place at the Mandi on the occasions of Dhanteras and Bhai Dooj.According to a notification issued by the Mandi administration, cotton auctions will be conducted on the Mandi premises on Friday, November 6 (Dhanteras), and Wednesday, November 11 (Bhai Dooj). The administration has clarified that the auctioning of food grains will remain completely suspended from November 6 to November 11. Farmers are advised to take note of this arrangement before bringing their produce to the Mandi to avoid any inconvenience. The Mandi administration has also requested farmers to share this information with other farmers in their vicinity.
SGCCI signs two Morocco MoUs to expand Surat textile exports
Friday, 6th Nov. 2026, (Source: www.apparelviews.com)
The Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SGCCI) has signed two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) in Morocco to strengthen international business partnerships and expand export opportunities for Surat’s textile industry. The agreements were concluded during the Morocco International Yarn and Fabric Show 2026 in Casablanca, held from November 3 to 5, as part of efforts to connect Indian textile manufacturers with buyers and industry stakeholders across North Africa and Europe. The agreements are intended to establish stronger institutional and commercial links between Surat’s textile sector and Morocco’s industry. They are expected to facilitate business exchanges, encourage investment opportunities and create avenues for collaboration in yarn, fabrics, garment manufacturing and related textile activities. An SGCCI delegation led by its president, Ashok Jirawala, participated in the exhibition with representatives from nine textile companies and a total of 20 delegates. The delegation presented Surat’s integrated textile manufacturing ecosystem, which covers yarn production, weaving, fabric manufacturing, processing, printing and garmenting. The participation provided an opportunity for Indian companies to showcase their products and engage directly with international buyers. One of the key engagements involved cooperation with the Association Marocaine des Industries du Textile et de l’Habillement (AMITH), a leading Moroccan textile industry organisation. The proposed institutional partnership is aimed at strengthening industrial relations between the textile sectors of Surat and Morocco, while promoting trade, investment and business-to-business connections. The participating Indian companies showcased a diverse range of products, including metallic yarn, zari, cotton yarn, premium viscose and synthetic fabrics, digitally printed textiles, garment lace and ribbons. Companies representing yarn manufacturing, weaving, fabric production and garment accessories participated in the exhibition to explore sourcing requirements and establish commercial contacts. The exhibition also attracted buyers and sourcing representatives from Morocco, other North African markets and Europe. Early business enquiries reportedly covered metallic yarn, zari, premium viscose and synthetic fabrics, indicating opportunities for Surat-based manufacturers to explore additional international markets. SGCCI vice-president Ravi Raj Desai highlighted Morocco’s strategic geographical position, particularly its proximity to European markets. The country’s location and international trade connections make it a potential sourcing and distribution base for Indian textile exporters seeking to diversify their overseas customer networks. The initiative comes as India and Morocco continue to expand their broader economic partnership. Both countries have identified trade diversification, industrial cooperation and stronger business engagement as important priorities. Bilateral merchandise trade reached approximately US$4 billion in 2025, with synthetic textiles among India’s major exports to Morocco.
Textile exports from Uzbekistan increased by 28.1%
Friday, 6th Nov. 2026, (Source: www.apparelviews.com)
Exports of textile products from Uzbekistan in January–September 2026 amounted to 2.4 billion US dollars, which is 28.1% more than in the same period of 2025. This was reported by the National Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Statistics. Textiles accounted for 9.3% of the country’s total exports. In the structure of textile exports, the main share is made up of finished textile products (50.8%) and yarn (33.0%). Knitted fabric accounts for 8% of textile product exports, fabrics 5%, socks 2%, carpets 1%. If we consider commodity sections according to the SITC classification, exports of textile yarn, fabrics, finished products and similar goods amounted to 1,481.0 million dollars, which is 25.9% more than a year earlier. Shipments of clothing and clothing accessories increased by 24.3% and reached 938.1 million dollars. The total volume of Uzbekistan’s exports for the first nine months of 2026 amounted to 25.8 billion dollars, which is 5.5% less than a year ago. At the same time, exports of goods excluding gold increased by 31.6% and reached 13.3 billion dollars. Exports of services grew by 31.1% and amounted to 9.7 billion dollars. Uzbekistan’s foreign trade turnover in January–September 2026 amounted to 65.4 billion dollars and increased by 6.3%. Imports rose by 15.7% and reached 39.6 billion dollars, so the negative foreign trade balance amounted to 13.7 billion dollars.
Brazil cotton prices fall in October as weak demand weighs on market
Friday, 6th Nov. 2026, (Source: www.fibre2fashion.com)
Insights
Brazil's cotton prices fell 4.47 per cent month on month in October 2026 amid weak demand and cautious trading, although a weaker real supported a late-month recovery. Global cotton production is forecast to decline 4 per cent in 2026-27 to 25.75 million tonnes, while consumption is expected to rise 0.8 per cent to 26.1 million tonnes, creating a projected supply deficit of 353,000 tonnes, ICAC said.
Brazil’s CEPEA/ESALQ cotton Index declined 1.05 per cent between September 30 and October 30 to BRL 4.1302 (approximately $0.76) per pound, despite recovering 1.7 per cent in the final week of October, from October 26 to 30, according to the Centre for Advanced Studies on Applied Economics (Cepea).For most of October, Brazil’s domestic cotton market was characterised by low liquidity, cautious trading and declining prices. Sellers concluded occasional deals while prioritising the fulfilment of forward contracts, whereas textile industry participants relied on existing stocks and previously contracted volumes rather than making fresh purchases. Weak demand across the textile production chain, coupled with political and economic uncertainties, further dampened market activity, Cepea said.Towards the end of the month, a sharp appreciation of the US dollar against the Brazilian real strengthened export parity. Domestic prices, which had remained above export parity for most of October, fell below the reference level on October 26. Sellers subsequently maintained firm asking prices, supporting a recovery in domestic quotations. Higher international prices also encouraged market participants to enter into new forward contracts, particularly for exports involving cotton from the 2025-26 and 2026-27 crop seasons. On average, domestic cotton quotations were 1.3 per cent above export parity in October. However, in the final week, they traded 3.8 per cent below the reference level, Cepea said. The CEPEA/ESALQ Index averaged BRL 4.1090 (approximately $0.75) per pound in October, down 4.47 per cent from September 2026 but up 12.52 per cent year on year in real terms, with values deflated by the IGP-DI index to September 2026 levels. In US-dollar terms, the spot Index averaged $0.7995 per pound, 1.4 per cent above the average of the first contract traded on the Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) Futures in New York, at $0.7882 per pound. However, it was 11.9 per cent below the Cotlook A Index average of $0.9078 per pound. The Cotlook A Index serves as an international benchmark for cotton lint delivered to the Far East, Cepea said. The US dollar appreciated 5.41 per cent against the Brazilian real in October, closing at BRL 5.453 per dollar on October 30. This supported the export parity (FAS) calculated by Cepea, which increased 1.5 per cent during the month to BRL 4.2650 (approximately $0.78) per pound at the port of Santos in São Paulo state and BRL 4.2755 (approximately $0.78) per pound at the port of Paranaguá in Paraná state. In dollar terms, the respective values stood at $0.7821 and $0.7841 per pound. The increase in export parity came despite a 3.75 per cent decline in the Cotlook A Index over the same period, to $0.8985 per pound at the end of October. Meanwhile, global cotton production is forecast to reach 25.75 million tonnes in the 2026-27 crop season, down 4 per cent from the previous season, mainly due to lower output in China, Brazil, Pakistan and the US, according to data released by the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC). Global cotton consumption is projected to increase 0.8 per cent to 26.1 million tonnes, supported primarily by activity in Asian textile industries, particularly in China, India, Pakistan, Vietnam and Turkiye. With consumption expected to exceed production by approximately 353,000 tonnes, the global cotton market is forecast to shift from a surplus in 2025-26 to a deficit in 2026-27, potentially resulting in a reduction in global stocks, ICAC data showed. Global cotton exports are projected to decline 1.7 per cent to 9.75 million tonnes. Brazil is expected to retain its position as the world's leading cotton exporter in 2026-27, with shipments forecast at 3.15 million tonnes, followed by the US at 2.71 million tonnes.
US cotton export sales rise 28%, but shipments hit to year low
Friday, 6th Nov. 2026, (Source: www.fibre2fashion.com)
Insights
US Upland cotton net sales rose 28 per cent to 277,500 RB in the week ended October 29, 53 per cent above the four-week average, with Vietnam the top buyer at 200,500 RB.Upland shipments fell 14 per cent to a marketing-year low of 137,800 RB.Pima sales rebounded to 6,400 RB, led by India, while shipments more than doubled from 3,300 RB to 7,100 RB.
US cotton export sales strengthened during the week ended October 29, driven by robust demand from Vietnam, Pakistan and Turkiye. Net sales of Upland cotton for the 2026–27 marketing year increased by 28 per cent to 277,500 RB (running bales, each weighing approximately 226.8 kg), compared with 216,500 RB in the previous week. Sales were also 53 per cent above the previous four-week average, according to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).Vietnam emerged as the largest buyer with 200,500 RB, including reductions of 4,400 RB, followed by Pakistan (30,700 RB), Turkiye (18,300 RB, including reductions of 5,700 RB), Peru (7,700 RB) and India (5,100 RB, including reductions of 600 RB). These increases were partly offset by reductions for Mexico (3,100 RB). Notably, Vietnam's purchases surged from 35,000 RB in the previous week, while China was absent from the list of major buyers.However, Upland cotton export shipments declined by 14 per cent to a marketing-year low of 137,800 RB, compared with 160,800 RB in the previous week. Shipments were also 16 per cent below the previous four-week average. Vietnam remained the leading destination with 43,500 RB, followed by Mexico (20,600 RB), Pakistan (15,900 RB), Bangladesh (13,900 RB) and India (8,100 RB). Meanwhile, demand for US Pima cotton recovered sharply. Net sales for the 2026–27 marketing year increased to 6,400 RB from just 100 RB in the preceding week. India was the largest buyer with 2,500 RB, including 300 RB switched from Italy, followed by Bangladesh (2,300 RB), Peru (1,400 RB), Japan (300 RB) and Indonesia (200 RB). These increases were partly offset by reductions for Italy (400 RB). Pima cotton export shipments more than doubled to 7,100 RB from 3,300 RB in the previous week and were 18 per cent above the previous four-week average. Bangladesh was the leading destination with 2,200 RB, followed by India (2,100 RB), Vietnam (1,500 RB), China (800 RB) and Thailand (500 RB).Overall, US cotton export sales maintained their upward momentum, with Vietnam driving Upland demand and India leading Pima purchases. However, Upland shipments falling to a marketing-year low highlighted continued weakness in export execution despite stronger buying interest.
