CHINESE COTTON POLICY: DECISIONS AND EFFECTS

As the world’s largest cotton grower, consumer, and importer, China has long been at the center of the global cotton market.  Since the spike in fiber prices that occurred during…

June 2013 Executive Cotton Update

Macroeconomic Overview: Despite some evidence of weakness in the manufacturing sector, recent indicators suggest that the U.S. economy continues to expand. Rising home prices and record stock values have lifted…

October 2013 Executive Cotton Update

Macroeconomic Overview: In a political breakdown, the U.S. government ceased all non-essential services on October 1st. The shutdown may be seen as a result of the on-going political struggle between…

January 2014 Executive Cotton Update

Macroeconomic Overview: Apart from the latest employment figures, which indicated that the fewest jobs were added last month since January 2011, recent economic data have been generally positive and many…

Easing Apparel Sourcing Cost Pressures

Market forces inside and outside of China that have kept cotton prices higher in recent years are disappearing. As a result, cotton prices around the world have moved lower. The…

The Ties That Bind

The U.S. Congress recently revived the Trans-Pacific Partnership when it voted to give President Barack Obama “fast track” authority to negotiate trade deals. The complicated, multi-pronged trade agenda involves 11…

Brave New World

If the U.S. and China were to post their relationship status on Facebook, the "it's complicated" option comes to mind.

Monthly Economic Letter February 2018

Despite some significant upward movement, most cotton prices are either even or lower than one month ago.

Monthly Economic Letter March 2018

Movement in international benchmark prices was mixed over the past month, with NY futures and the A Index increasing, South Asian prices flat to lower, and Chinese prices stable.

Monthly Economic Letter April 2018

NY futures experienced volatility in early April. Current values for all benchmark prices are flat to lower relative to levels one month ago.