Understanding Cotton prices
Raw materials and production
Cotton is a natural textile fibre obtained from cotton bolls and separated from seeds by ginning. Fibre length, strength and cleanliness influence spinning performance. Crop conditions and handling affect the quality of marketable lint.
Applications and consumption
Spinners and textile mills consume cotton for clothing, household textiles and industrial fabrics. Demand responds to garment orders and consumer spending. Cotton competes with some synthetic fibres, but its properties and the requirements of fabric manufacturers limit direct substitution.
What affects Cotton prices?
Weather, crop yields, planted acreage, mill demand and stocks influence cotton prices. Input costs and export conditions affect supply. Fibre grade, contract specifications and units must be aligned when comparing a cotton futures reference with a physical lint quotation.
How to read Cotton price today
This page follows Cotton in ICE. The price type is Futures contract, with values expressed in US cent/pound. Compare quotations only after matching the product specification, unit, market and publication period. Changes in the chart describe the recorded series; they do not measure every transaction in the wider market. A local purchase may include freight, processing, taxes or dealer margins. Differences in quality or delivery conditions can therefore produce a different final cost even when the reference price is unchanged.
The latest dated observation is the reference available on this page. Trading holidays or publication delays can leave the displayed date earlier than today; this is not a live tick feed.
Further reading: FAO — commodity markets and trade ↗
Frequently asked questions about Cotton
What is Cotton price today?
The latest available value is 80.00 US cent/pound, for 10/16/2026. It represents Futures contract. Check the displayed period and market before treating it as a quotation for a purchase today. The latest dated observation is the reference available on this page. Trading holidays or publication delays can leave the displayed date earlier than today; this is not a live tick feed.
What affects Cotton prices?
Weather, crop yields, planted acreage, mill demand and stocks influence cotton prices. Input costs and export conditions affect supply. Fibre grade, contract specifications and units must be aligned when comparing a cotton futures reference with a physical lint quotation.
What is Cotton used for in everyday life and industry?
Spinners and textile mills consume cotton for clothing, household textiles and industrial fabrics. Demand responds to garment orders and consumer spending. Cotton competes with some synthetic fibres, but its properties and the requirements of fabric manufacturers limit direct substitution.
Why can local Cotton prices differ from this chart?
Local offers may include delivery, processing, taxes and commercial margins. Differences in quality, product form, market and contract timing can also change the price. Compare the same specification and unit before drawing conclusions.
Where can I compare historical Cotton prices?
Use the price chart and dated history table on this page, or download the CSV. Choose a period and keep the market, product and units consistent. Missing publication dates are not filled with invented observations.