Arabfields, Naïla Mokhtari, Special Economic Correspondent, America — Cotton prices ended the week higher in New York, extending a rally that has brought renewed attention to the global fiber market and improved prospects for producers heading into the second half of 2026.

The December cotton contract closed at 88.35 cents per pound on Friday, while October settled at 87.07 cents. March 2027 reached 90.15 cents, and May 2027 finished at 91.19 cents. The weekly gains were significant, with December rising 4.19%, October gaining 4.15%, March increasing 4% and May advancing 3.81%.

For farmers, the move is more than a number on a trading screen. In Brazil and other major producing regions, higher futures prices can influence planting decisions, sales strategies and expectations for farm income. A producer watching the market after a difficult period of weak prices may now have more room to delay sales while waiting for stronger offers.

The latest export figures from the United States have also added support. Commitments for the 2026/27 crop reached 4.235 million bales, 31% above the level recorded at the same point last year. The volume represents about 37% of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s projected exports for the season. Although that pace remains below the five year average of 43%, it is well ahead of last year’s 29%.

The figures suggest that international buyers are already securing a meaningful share of future supplies. That demand could become increasingly important if production conditions deteriorate in major growing areas or if mills accelerate purchases later in the year.

The broader commodity market is also playing a role. Oil prices provided some support to cotton during the session, while movements in the U.S. dollar continued to influence the competitiveness of American supplies. For traders, the combination of export demand, energy prices and currency movements has created a market with stronger momentum but also considerable uncertainty.

Recent market data show how quickly sentiment has changed. Cotton futures were trading around 88 cents per pound in late August, substantially above levels seen earlier in the year. The December contract alone gained more than 3.5 cents during the week, a move large enough to attract both commercial hedgers and speculative investors.

The outlook for the coming months therefore appears cautiously positive. If export commitments continue to grow faster than last year’s pace and supply concerns persist, December cotton could remain above 88 cents and challenge the 90 cent threshold. Longer-dated contracts already point toward that possibility, with March and May 2027 trading above 90 cents.

Still, the rally is unlikely to move in a straight line. Stronger prices could encourage growers to increase sales, while profit taking by traders could create temporary setbacks. Weather conditions, global textile demand and currency fluctuations will remain decisive factors.

For producers, the recent gains offer an opportunity rather than a guarantee. A sustained move above 90 cents would improve the market’s tone and could encourage additional forward sales. If export demand remains firm, the current recovery may have enough support to carry into the next trading cycle.

The cotton market has entered the final months of 2026 with a noticeably different mood. What began as a modest improvement has developed into a broad weekly advance, giving producers, exporters and traders a reason to watch New York more closely as the next phase of the global cotton season unfolds.