Weekly Cotton Market Review, narrative
Mp_cn812 
December 4, 2020 
Weekly Cotton Market Review 
 
 


Average spot quotations were down 63 points from the previous week, according 
to the USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service�s Cotton and Tobacco Program. Quotations 
for the base quality of cotton (color 41, leaf 4, staple 34, mike 35-36 and 43-49, 
strength 27.0-28.9, and uniformity 81.0-81.9) in the seven designated markets 
averaged 67.56 cents per pound for the week ending Thursday, December 3, 2020. 
The weekly average was down from 68.19 last week, but up from 60.04 cents reported 
the corresponding period a year ago. Daily average quotations ranged from a high 
of 68.67 cents Friday, November 27 to a low of 66.68 cents Thursday, December 3. 
Spot transactions reported in the Daily Spot Cotton Quotations for the week ended 
December 3 totaled 52,082 bales. This compares to 83,328 reported last week and 
53,680 spot transactions reported the corresponding week a year ago. Total spot 
transactions for the season were 531,144 bales compared to 460,856 bales the 
corresponding week a year ago. The ICE March settlement price ended the week 
at 71.11 cents, compared to 72.36 cents last week. 


Southeastern Markets Regional Summary 
 

Spot cotton trading was moderate.  Supplies and producer offerings were moderate.  
Demand was good. Average local spot prices were lower.  Trading of CCC-loan equities 
was inactive.  The COVID-19 Pandemic continues to negatively affect cotton demand 
and disrupt supply chains. 
     
Across the lower Southeast, warm, wet and cloudy conditions over the weekend gave 
way to clear skies and cold temperatures as a cold front moved across the region 
later in the week. Daytime high temperatures in the 70s dropped into the upper 40s 
to upper 50s.  Many areas had their first heavy frost of the season.  Around 1 to 3 
inches of rainfall was deposited in areas throughout Alabama, the Florida Panhandle, 
and Georgia early in the period.  The wet weather interrupted fieldwork, but harvesting 
resumed as soils firmed and dry conditions allowed field activities to recommence.  
Ginning continued uninterrupted as gins continued to process backlogs of modules on 
gin yards.  According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service�s (NASS) Crop 
Progress report released November 30, cotton harvested had reached 89 percent in Alabama 
and 80 percent in Georgia; figures were at or near the NASS five-year average. 
     
Foggy and rainy conditions prevailed over the upper Southeast over the weekend before 
mostly clear and sunny conditions were observed later in the period.  Daytime high 
temperatures in the upper 60s and 70s dropped into the upper 40s to 50s as a cold 
front moved across the region during the week.  Early morning frost was observed.  
Widespread showers brought around three-quarters of an inch to one and one-half 
inches of rainfall to cotton growing areas of the eastern Carolinas and Virginia. 
The wet conditions interrupted fieldwork.  Sunny conditions later in the week helped 
soft soils to firm and harvesting resumed where soils were firm enough to support 
equipment.  Gins continued to process backlogs of modules without interruption.  
According to the NASS Crop Progress report released November 30, cotton harvested 
reached 77 percent completed in South Carolina, 74 in North Carolina, and 62 percent 
completed in Virginia; figures were well behind the NASS five-year average in North 
Carolina and Virginia where harvesting remained behind due to wet conditions in the fall. 
 
Textile Mill 

Buyers for domestic mills purchased a moderate volume of color 41, leaf 3 and 4, and 
staple 34-36 for first quarter through fourth quarter 2021 delivery.  Buyers for domestic 
mills also inquired for a moderate volume of color 41-51, leaf 5 and better, and staple 32 
and longer for January through October delivery.  No additional sales were reported.  
Reports indicated that mills continued to incrementally increase operating schedules as 
warranted by increased finished product demand.   Yarn demand was good.  Mills continued 
to produce personal protective equipment for frontline workers and military supplies. 
     
Demand through export channels was light.  Demand was good for any discounted or low-grade styles of cotton. 


Trading 
� 
Even-running lots containing color mostly 31, leaf 3 and 4, staple 39 and 40, mike 35-49, 
strength 29-31, and uniformity 81-83 sold for around 100 points on ICE March futures, FOB 
car/truck (Rule 5, compression charges paid). 
� 
A light volume of color 31 and 41, leaf 3-5, staple 37 and 38, mike 35-49, strength 29 and 30, and 
uniformity  79-81 sold for around 175 points off ICE March futures, same terms as above. 
� 
A moderate volume of color mostly 31 and 41, leaf 3-5, staple 38 and 39, mike 43-49, strength 30-32, 
uniformity 82 and 83, and containing approximately 25 percent seed coat fragments sold for around 25 
points off ICE March futures, FOB car/truck, Georgia terms (Rule 5, compression charges paid). 


South  Central Markets Regional Summary 


North Delta 

Spot cotton trading was slow.  Supplies of available cotton were moderate.  Demand was 
moderate.   Average local spot prices were lower.  Trading of CCC-loan equities was inactive. 
No forward contracting was reported.  The COVID-19 Pandemic continues to negatively impact the 
overall global economy and daily infection rates were steadily increasing in many areas. 

A cold front brought lower temperatures and light precipitation to the region during the week.  
Highs were generally in the 40s.  Frosty overnight lows were in the 20s.  Up to 1 inch of 
precipitation was reported during the period, with light snow in northern areas.  Field activities 
were mostly finished as winter conditions prevailed in many areas.  Several smaller gins have 
completed seasonal operations, while larger gins continued to work through backlogs of modules on 
their yards.  A few producers reported disappointing yield results and/or grade reductions, which 
they attributed to wet weather throughout the harvest season. According to the National Agricultural 
Statistics Service�s Crop Progress report released on November 30, cotton harvested had reached 100 
percent completed in Arkansas, 94 in Missouri, and 96 percent in Tennessee.   
 
South Delta 

Spot cotton trading was inactive. Supplies of available cotton were moderate. Demand was light.  
Average local spot prices were lower.  Trading of CCC-loan equities was inactive. No forward 
contracting was reported. The COVID-19 Pandemic continues to negatively impact economic activity 
around the world and daily infection rates were steadily increasing in many areas. 

Seasonably cold daytime temperatures prevailed during the week.  Highs were in the low 50s.  
Overnight lows were in the 30s.  A cold front brought up to 2 inches of rain to the territory 
during the week.  Field activities were completed as winter conditions prevailed. A number of gins 
completed annual pressing operations, but several larger gins continued processing backlogs of modules.  
Some producers reported lower yields than hoped for due to inclement weather, which resulted in 
boll rot in some of the wettest areas.  According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service�s 
Crop Progress report released on November 30, harvesting advanced slowly and reached 100 percent 
completed in Louisiana and 98 percent in Mississippi.    

Trading 
  
North Delta 
� 
A light volume of color 41 and better, leaf 4 and better, staple 36 and longer, mike 35-50, 
strength 27-31, and uniformity 79-83 traded for around 70.50 cents per pound, FOB car/truck 
(Rule 5, compression charges paid). 
� 
A light volume of color 51 and better, leaf 5 and better, staple 35 and longer, mike 37-49, 
strength 27-32, and uniformity 79-84 traded for around 69.25 cents, same terms as above. 
 
South Delta 
� 
No trading activity was reported.   


Southwestern Markets Regional Summary       


East Texas 

Spot cotton trading was active. Supplies and producer offerings were heavy. Demand was 
good. Average local spot prices were lower. Producer interest in forward contracting 
was light. Trading of CCC-loan equities was slow. Foreign inquiries were heavy. Interest 
was best from China, Pakistan, and Vietnam. The COVID-19 Pandemic continued to influence 
market uncertainty and impact global cotton demand. Medical communities struggled with positive case surges. 
     
Ginning continued in the Coastal Bend, the Upper Coast, and in the Winter Garden area for 
the gins that remained opened.  Most gins were done and had closed operations. Intermittent 
rainfall brought a light amount of rain to parts of south Texas.  The Rio Grande Valley 
remained dry and in need of winter precipitation ahead of planting. Sowing activities were 
about 90 days away, depending on soil condition. In the northern Blackland Prairies, only a 
few gins continued offering pressing services. A small number of acres remain to be harvested 
when weather conditions turn favorable. Cold and drizzly conditions interfered with field activities.  
     
A bitter storm brought more than 3 inches of blowing snow to southwestern Kansas 
and rainfall further east on December 2.  Fieldwork came to a complete stop and gins halted operations until 
the winds subsided. Daytime temperatures were in the mid-30s to mid-50s, and overnight lows were 
mostly in the 20s.  Final harvesting activities in Oklahoma were slowed by cold, windy daytime 
temperatures in the low 40s to 60s.  Overnight temperature lows were in the 20s and 30s. Harvesting 
was more than 90 percent completed. Warehouses were busy shipping and receiving.   
  
West Texas 

Spot cotton trading was active. Supplies and producer offerings were heavy.  Demand was very good.  
Average local spot prices were lower.  Producer interest in forward contracting was light. Trading 
of CCC-loan equities was moderate. Foreign inquiries were heavy. Interest was best from China, 
Pakistan, and Vietnam. The COVID-19 Pandemic continued to impact commodity markets and global cotton 
demand. Infection spikes continued to pressure local medical institutions and resources.  
     
A couple of cold fronts pushed through the area during the reporting period and brought mostly dry, 
windy conditions. Wintry precipitation was observed on December 2 that halted all fieldwork and 
caused gins to temporarily stop operations until the winds calmed. Some areas in the Panhandle were 
covered in snow. Widespread beneficial moisture was minimal. Harvesting made good progress in the 
Rolling Plains.  Some fields were shredded and tilled. Most of the region was rated abnormally dry 
to exceptional drought intensity, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor released on December 3. 
Virtual meetings were held to conduct industry business and keep members updated.   

Trading 

East Texas 
� 
In Texas, a mixed lot containing a moderate volume of mostly color 52 and better, leaf 4 and better, 
staple 35 and 36, mike 37-49, strength 25-28, uniformity 78-80, and 25 percent extraneous matter 
sold for around 58.75 cents per pound, FOB warehouse (compression charges not paid).   
� 
In Kansas, a light volume of cotton mostly color 21, leaf 2 and 3, staple 33 and 34, mike 
averaging 31.5, strength averaging 25.5, and uniformity averaging 77.3 sold for around 55.75 cents, 
FOB car/truck (compression charges not paid). 
� 
In Oklahoma, a heavy volume of even-running lots mostly color 21 and 31, leaf 2 and 3, staple 37 
and 38, mike 40-48, strength 31-36, and uniformity 78-82 sold for around 74.00 cents, same terms as above.  
� 
A light volume of CCC-loan equities traded for around 11.25 cents. 
 
Trading 
 
West Texas 
� 
Mixed lots containing a moderate volume of cotton mostly color 11 and 21, leaf 2 and 3, 
staple 36 and 37, mike 39-49, strength 29-31, and uniformity 80-82, sold for 74.00 to 
74.50 cents per pound, FOB car/truck (compression charges not paid).   
� 
A heavy volume mostly color 11, leaf 1 and 2, staple 37-39, mike 37-49, strength averaging 33.0, 
and uniformity 77-82 sold for around 73.25 cents, same terms as above. 
� 
A moderate volume of mostly color 11 and 21, leaf 3 and better, staple 37-39, mike averaging 36.4, 
strength 30-32, uniformity 80-82, and 25 percent extraneous matter sold for around 70.25 cents, same terms as above. 
� 
A heavy volume of CCC-loan equities traded for around 14.25 cents. 


Desert Southwest (DSW)

 
Spot cotton trading was slow.   Supplies and producer offerings were moderate. Demand was 
light.   Producers delivered previously contracted cotton to merchant and cooperative 
marketing pools.  Average local spot prices were lower.  No forward contracting or domestic 
mill activity was reported.   Foreign mill inquiries were moderate.  The COVID-19 Pandemic 
continues to pressure the U.S. economy.   
     
Central Arizona daytime high temperatures were in the high 60s to low 70s.  In New Mexico and 
El Paso, TX temperatures were in the 50s.  Overnight lows were near the freezing mark.  No rainfall 
was recorded for the region in the period.  A good soaking rain event would be most welcomed.  
In central Arizona, sources reported yields were good, but were affected by a hot growing season and 
some producers ran out of irrigation water.  In eastern Arizona and New Mexico, producers were 
encouraged with excellent grades and average to above average yields.  Harvesting neared the end at 
most locations in New Mexico and in El Paso, TX. Ginning was estimated at about 40 to 50 percent completed.    
 
San Joaquin Valley (SJV) 
Spot cotton trading was inactive.  Supplies were moderate.  Demand was good. Producers 
delivered previously contracted cotton to merchant and cooperative marketing pools. Average 
local spot prices were lower. The COVID-19 Pandemic continues to negatively impact the U.S. 
economy.  No forward contracting or domestic mill activity was reported.  Foreign mill inquiries 
were moderate and for prompt shipment.     
     
Daytime high temperatures were in the 60s.   Overnight lows were in the 30s and 40s.  
Freeze warnings were in effect throughout the Valley.  No rainfall was recorded in the period.  
A good soaking rain event would be most welcomed. Harvesting was virtually completed.  Producers 
shredded stalks in compliance with the California Pink bollworm program. Ginning continued uninterrupted.   
 
American Pima (AP) 
Spot cotton trading was inactive.  Supplies of 2019-crop were light and were moderate for          
2020-crop cotton. Demand was moderate.  Producers delivered previously contracted cotton to 
merchant and cooperative marketing pools.  Average local spot prices were steady. No forward 
contracting or domestic mill activity was reported. Foreign mill inquiries were moderate. 
COVID-19 Pandemic slowed U.S. economic recovery and the progress of global economies.   
     
Harvesting neared completion in Arizona with daytime high temperatures in the upper 50s to 
low 70s.  Overnight lows were varied in the low 20s to mid-40s. Sunny conditions prevailed, 
and ginning continued uninterrupted.  Harvesting of the crop in El Paso, TX and New Mexico 
was nearly done, and pressing services continued.  A few locations around Hatch, New Mexico 
were about half harvested. Winter moisture was below normal and severe-to-extreme drought status 
was reported for cotton-growing areas of Arizona, New Mexico, and El Paso, TX, according to the U. S. 
Drought Monitor released on December 3. Harvesting of the west Texas AP was completed and ginning 
was estimated at about 60 percent completed. According to local reports, producers were mostly 
pleased with the grades, but disappointed in the yields. The drought and the early freeze in 
September affected yields.  Stalk destruction and plow down was completed in the San Joaquin Valley.  
Ginning continued uninterrupted.   

Trading 
 
Desert Southwest 
� 
A light volume of Arizona cotton mostly color 11 and 21, leaf 2 and better, staple 36 and higher, 
mike 43-49, strength averaging 32.5, and uniformity averaging 81.0 sold for around 72.50 cents per pound,       
uncompressed, FOB warehouse.   
� 
Similar lots containing staple 35 and mike 50 and higher sold for around 70.25 to 70.50 cents, same terms as above.   

San Joaquin Valley 
� 
No trading activity was reported.   

American Pima 
�   
No trading activity was reported.   


USDA ANNOUNCES SPECIAL IMPORT QUOTA #7 
FOR UPLAND COTTON 
December 3, 2020 


The Department of Agriculture's Commodity Credit Corporation announced a special import quota for 
upland cotton that permits    importation of a quantity of upland cotton equal to one week�s domestic 
mill use. The quota will be established on December 10, 2020, allowing importation of 8,108,926 kilograms 
(37,244 bales of 480-lbs) of upland cotton.  
     
Quota number 7 will be established as of December 10, 2020 and will apply to upland cotton purchased not 
later than March 9, 2021 and entered into the U.S. not later than June 7, 2021. The quota is equivalent 
to one week's consumption of cotton by domestic mills at the seasonally-adjusted average rate for the 
period July 2020 through September 2020, the most recent three months for which data are available.  
     
Future quotas, in addition to the quantity announced, will be established if price conditions warrant.