DTN Closing Cotton            03/30 13:42

   Cotton Higher on Middle East Conflict, Weather

   The cotton market was higher today as traders reflected on the Middle East 
conflict, impending acre intentions and the current adverse weather conditions. 

Keith Brown
DTN Contributing Cotton Analyst

   The cotton market was higher today as traders reflected on the Middle East 
conflict, impending acre intentions and the current adverse weather conditions. 
Supposedly, this is to be a very crucial week in the Middle East, as the U.S. 
and Israel, with the help of regional nations, could bring the conflict to a 
"nearing resolution."

   Tuesday at noon EDT, USDA will issue its all-important 2026 Prospective 
Plantings report. For that report, average trade expectations are 9.229 million 
acres, with a range of 9.000-9.635 million acres. This compares to 9.283 
million acres in 2025, 9.400 million in the February Ag Outlook Forum and 8.99 
million for the National Cotton Council's membership's survey.

   The National Climate Prediction Center (CPC) continues to see expanding 
drought conditions across the western U.S. and for parts of the U.S. Plains. An 
El Nino event is forecasted (62%) and could last into 2027. Currently, the CPC 
shows 91% of the U.S. Cotton Belt is suffering drought conditions, up from last 
week's reading of 90%.

   The 6- to 10-day forecast showed some below-normal temperatures in the 
Northern Plains and in Texas, normal temps across the rest of the Great Plains 
and western Mideast. Rain wise, much of the U.S. Cotton Belt looks to 
slightly-above normal opportunities.

   This Thursday, USDA will issue its weekly export sales. Previously, net 
combined seasonal sales were 230,000 bales, far below the recent pace of 
300,000-plus. However, exports were 400,600 bales, which was another marketing 
year high on shipments.

   For Monday, July closed at 72.42 cents, up 72 points; December 2026 closed 
at 74.61 cents, plus 59 points; and March 2027 finished at 75.55 cents, 61 
points higher. Monday's estimated volume was 82,724 contracts.

   Keith Brown can be reached at commodityconsults@gmail.com




(c) Copyright 2026 DTN, LLC. All rights reserved.