Global Cotton Prices Decline; Weakness Observed in Key Markets Including India and China: Cotton Incorporated
Global cotton markets have experienced a decline in prices over recent weeks. According to the October 2026 Monthly Economic Report from Cotton Incorporated, international cotton price benchmarks have shown weakness. Prices remain under pressure in major cotton markets, including India, China, and Pakistan.
The report notes that the December NY/ICE cotton futures contract fell from 93 cents per pound at the end of August to 78 cents per pound by early October. Subsequently, there was a slight recovery, with prices reaching approximately 80 cents per pound.
Other NY/ICE futures contracts—for March, May, and July—traded at higher levels than the December contract; the May contract, for instance, was priced at approximately 85 cents per pound. Meanwhile, the December 2027 futures contract stood at around 78 cents per pound.
The 'A Index'—a key indicator for international cotton prices—dropped to 88 cents per pound after having peaked above 100 cents per pound in early September. It later recovered to hover around 91 cents per pound.
In China, the CC Index 3128B showed cotton prices falling from 18,400 yuan per tonne in early September to approximately 17,200 yuan per tonne. During this period, the exchange rate of the Chinese currency remained relatively stable.
Cotton prices in India also saw a decline, with domestic market rates dropping from ₹70,000 per candy to approximately ₹64,700 per candy. Similarly, in Pakistan, cotton prices fell from 19,400 Pakistani rupees per maund to approximately 18,400 Pakistani rupees per maund.
The data in the report reflects the persistent weakness in the global cotton market and the continued pressure on prices in major producing countries.
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