US cotton export sales moderated in the week ended 11 June 2026, with both Upland and Pima cotton grades registering lower net sales and reduced shipment volumes. The US Department of Agriculture's latest weekly export sales report confirms the pullback. For textile buyers and traders tracking cotton exports, the data points to a temporary pause rather than a structural shift in demand.
Upland Cotton Sales Ease but Stay Above Four-Week Average
Net sales of Upland cotton for the 2025–26 marketing year reached 177,100 running bales (RB), a 15% week-on-week decline. Despite the drop, volumes still ran 5% above the previous four-week average. Pakistan led all buyers with 76,600 RB, followed by India at 39,600 RB and Vietnam at 21,000 RB.
China booked 11,400 RB and Taiwan added 7,400 RB during the period. Gains were partially offset by net reductions from Honduras, South Korea, and Japan. The current-crop picture remained constructive despite the weekly dip.
Forward bookings for the 2026–27 crop were notably strong. New-crop Upland net sales totalled 188,400 RB, with Vietnam leading at 65,600 RB and Pakistan next at 39,600 RB. Indonesia (22,500 RB), Malaysia (21,100 RB), and Nicaragua (15,000 RB) rounded out the top buyers, reflecting broad demand across Asian spinning hubs and Central American markets.
Pima Cotton Records a Steeper Week-on-Week Decline
Pima cotton faced a more pronounced slowdown. Net sales for the 2025–26 marketing year came in at 5,500 RB—down 28% from the prior week and 14% below the four-week average. Costa Rica was the dominant buyer at 3,500 RB, while Thailand, Pakistan, Türkiye, and Peru each booked 400 RB.
Pima export shipments fell even more sharply, dropping 43% week on week to 13,200 RB—11% below the four-week average. India remained the top destination at 6,900 RB, followed by Vietnam (2,300 RB), China (1,800 RB), Peru (1,300 RB), and Thailand (400 RB).
Shipments Slow Across Both Cotton Grades
Physical movement also declined for Upland. Upland export shipments fell 16% week on week to 251,000 RB, running 15% below the four-week average. Vietnam was the top Upland destination at 66,300 RB, followed by Pakistan (33,100 RB), Türkiye (28,000 RB), Bangladesh (24,500 RB), and China (19,800 RB).
The slowdown in execution volumes alongside continued forward booking activity suggests a temporary logistics and timing effect. Industry professionals can follow the latest developments in our textile news section. The next USDA weekly report will clarify whether shipment flows normalize.
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused US cotton export sales to fall in the week of 11 June 2026?
The USDA data indicates a natural moderation following a stronger-than-average week, not a demand collapse. Key buyers including Pakistan, India, and Vietnam continued to purchase, but at reduced volumes compared to the prior reporting period.
Which country bought the most US Upland cotton in the week ended 11 June 2026?
Pakistan was the largest Upland buyer with 76,600 running bales for the 2025–26 crop. It also ranked second for new-crop 2026–27 forward bookings with 39,600 RB, reflecting consistent procurement interest from Pakistani spinning mills.
How did Pima cotton compare to Upland cotton performance that week?
Pima experienced steeper declines, with net sales dropping 28% week on week to 5,500 RB and shipments falling 43% to 13,200 RB. Both figures represent sharper pullbacks than Upland's 15% sales decline and 16% shipment decrease.
The USDA's 11 June data reflects a pause in momentum for US cotton exports, not a fundamental demand breakdown. Upland forward bookings for 2026–27 remain robust at 188,400 RB, signalling sustained appetite from global spinning mills. Textile procurement teams should monitor the next USDA weekly release to assess whether shipment execution returns to recent averages.
