US Upland cotton export sales showed a modest recovery in the week ending December 4, although demand remained subdued on a year-on-year basis, according to the US Department of Agriculture’s weekly export sales report.
Net Upland sales for the current marketing year edged up to 153,300 running bales (RB), each weighing 226.8 kg, from 135,900 RB the previous week. This was broadly in line with last year’s 153,000 RB, pointing to stabilisation rather than a clear rebound in buying appetite.
Shipments eased week on week to 101,600 RB from 122,100 RB but were in line with the year-ago level, reflecting continued execution of existing contracts. Accumulated exports rose to 2.41 million RB from 2.31 million RB a week earlier and exceeded 2.28 million RB in the same week last year. Outstanding sales increased marginally to 3.47 million RB from 3.42 million RB but remained well below 4.73 million RB a year ago, underlining weaker forward coverage by global mills.
