Latest news with #cotton
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Cotton Prices Are Trending Up. How Much Higher Can They Go?
December cotton futures (CTZ25) present a buying opportunity on more price strength. See on the daily bar chart for December cotton futures that prices are trending higher. See, too, at the bottom of the chart that the moving average convergence divergence (MACD) indicator is in a bullish posture as the red MACD line is above the blue trigger line and both lines are trending higher. The cotton bulls have the overall near-term technical advantage. More News from Barchart Coffee Prices Settle Higher on Brazil Weather Risks Weather Risks in Brazil Boost Coffee Prices Cocoa Prices Finish Sharply Lower as Chocolate Demand Wanes Tired of missing midday reversals? The FREE Barchart Brief newsletter keeps you in the know. Sign up now! Fundamentally, record highs in the major U.S. stock indexes this week have American consumers in upbeat moods heading into the fall apparel-purchasing season. China's economy is also showing better growth signs for the major cotton importer. U.S. trade deals with other countries are also starting to fall into place, which is easing trader and investor uncertainty, and that's friendly for the cotton market. A move in December cotton futures above solid chart resistance at the June high of 69.52 cents would give the bulls more power and it would also become a buying opportunity. The upside price objective would be 75.00 cents, or above. Technical support, for which to place a protective sell stop just below, is located at the July low of 67.13 cents. IMPORTANT NOTE: I am not a futures broker and do not manage any trading accounts other than my own personal account. It is my goal to point out to you potential trading opportunities. However, it is up to you to: (1) decide when and if you want to initiate any trades and (2) determine the size of any trades you may initiate. Any trades I discuss are hypothetical in nature. Here is what the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has said about futures trading (and I agree 100%): Trading commodity futures and options is not for everyone. IT IS A VOLATILE, COMPLEX AND RISKY BUSINESS. Before you invest any money in futures or options contracts, you should consider your financial experience, goals and financial resources, and know how much you can afford to lose above and beyond your initial payment to a broker. You should understand commodity futures and options contracts and your obligations in entering into those contracts. You should understand your exposure to risk and other aspects of trading by thoroughly reviewing the risk disclosure documents your broker is required to give you. On the date of publication, Jim Wyckoff did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Associated Press
7 days ago
- Health
- Associated Press
Struggling Texas cotton industry emphasizing the hazards of fast fashion
LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) — For decades, the cotton industry has long been considered king in the Texas agriculture world. However, a shift has left it standing on shaky ground. In the last few years — as cotton producers struggled with low market prices, high costs of business, and unpredictable weather — synthetic fibers have become more mainstream. Fast fashion outlets on the internet are offering clothes made of polyester, nylon and spandex at hard-to-beat prices. And for customers dealing with inflation and the rise of influencer culture, the clothes are flying off the virtual shelves. 'We've been growing this safe fiber all our lives, and we can't seem to get any traction,' said Walt Hagood, a cotton producer outside Lubbock. 'If people want cotton, it would be really helpful for them to go out and start asking the stores for it.' The cotton industry isn't going down without a fight, though. Producers in the Texas High Plains, where 30% of the nation's cotton is grown, have started raising awareness about synthetic fibers and what impacts the non-biodegradable products have on the environment and consumer health. In recent months, Plains Cotton Growers, an organization that represents cotton producers in the region, has shared infographics about synthetic fibers. Almost 70% of clothes in fast fashion are made with synthetics, mostly polyester, which is usually made from petroleum. Plastic-based fibers are not biodegradable. Microplastics, which shed when the clothes are made, washed, and worn, are affecting more than the cotton industry. These tiny plastic particles build up in water supply sources, contaminating drinking water and polluting lakes and rivers. This is also a cause of concern for farmers, who depend on good water quality to prop up their crops. As the competition for consumers grows, cotton farmers are hoping to gain a powerful ally in their mission against fast fashion: U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. He has already shown interest in regulating warning labels for foods containing synthetic dyes and other additives. They hope he can take a closer look at the impact the man-made fibers have on the environment and consumer health. Kara Bishop, director of communications and public affairs for Plains Cotton Growers, has been behind much of the messaging on social media. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, Bishop saw the rise in athleisure wear and 'shopping hauls' featuring TikTok influencers showing off clothes from known fast-fashion outlets. Even when she would shop, Bishop said it was hard to find clothes that were 100% cotton that were also fashionable. Once she saw that synthetic manufacturers were able to replicate crochet tops or denim vests and blazers without cotton, Bishop knew there was a problem. She realized there wasn't enough awareness for consumers about cotton, or the harm caused by polyester and other synthetic fibers. 'We've got to do something to slow down the momentum of plastic pollution,' Bishop said. 'But there's got to be some kind of emotional anchor. You can't just tell people to wear cotton.' Bishop said this is why she started highlighting the health risks on social media. Some posts focus on health and environmental concerns, including one that links to a study estimating humans ingest a credit-card size amount of plastic each week. Another explains cotton microfibers break down in water within a few months. Synthetic microfibers, on the other hand, can take between 20 to 200 years to break down. Bishop also created a list of stores where people can buy cotton-rich clothes and other products, such as backpacks. Bishop saw this as an opportunity for the cotton industry to have better messaging. Cotton producers typically have to defend their practices, including their use of chemicals like pesticides. Bishop said cotton growers have used less chemicals over the years due to poor production, particularly in comparison to the amount of chemicals used for synthetic fibers. By raising awareness on the dangers of man-made synthetic fibers, they could help their cause and the environment. 'This is a place where we can actually be on the offense and say, 'Hey, you're wearing petroleum and it's going to hurt you and the planet,' Bishop said. Balaji Rao, a professor and microplastics researcher at Texas Tech University, said synthetic fibers are designed to be stable and not degrade. When they break down over time, Rao said, the plastics enter the environment and stay there. 'It's not that they stay forever, but long enough that they can potentially impact the environment,' Rao said. 'Natural fibers do degrade because they are designed by nature.' According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, microplastics are found throughout all sources of water — from the ocean to tap and bottled water. One study, published in the 2024 Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, found that plastic contamination is in every step involved in the production of drinking water, from when the water is drawn from a well to when it's in the bottle. Rao said this is the case with the food packing industry, too. However, he said it comes down to the cost of production, just like with clothes. Replacing a shirt made of cotton as opposed to polyester would be more environmentally friendly, he said. But the question for consumers is the cost. 'If we can develop the industry to make these naturally derived plastics and fibers, I think it would be a great value for the environment,' Rao said. 'That's something that would require policies and initiatives to make that happen. It's going to be a slow process.' Hagood, the cotton producer, doesn't want more regulations. Instead, he wants people to be more aware of what's on their clothing labels. He thinks Kennedy will look into it, as the health secretary has honed in on microplastics in food production. He also posted on social media last year about microplastics found in the human brain. The more people know about synthetic fibers, Hagood said, the better. 'We're out here struggling because we can't get enough demand to get enough support with our prices,' Hagood said. For Hagood and other cotton growers, it could be the difference in both their success and the well-being of future generations. Hagood has been growing cotton for 46 years and faced the shaky markets, water scarcity and extreme weather events that come with the territory. The fact that he's now fighting fast fashion, on top of the other complications that come his way, is a surprise to him. 'It's mind-boggling to me that this isn't a larger public conversation,' Hagood said. ___ This story was originally published by The Texas Tribune and distributed through a partnership with The Associated Press.
E&E News
24-07-2025
- Health
- E&E News
EPA proposes approval for cancer-linked weedkiller
EPA has proposed use of the weedkiller dicamba for certain soybean and cotton crops, the agency announced Wednesday while also dismissing concerns about human exposure to the cancer-linked herbicide. The agency wants to allow use of three dicamba products to control herbicide-resistant broadleaf weeds and released draft environmental and human health assessments on the weedkiller. 'These new products would give farmers an additional tool to help manage crops and increase yields in order to provide a healthy and affordable food supply for our country,' the agency wrote in its release. Advertisement EPA said last year it would consider an application from Bayer Crop Science, a pesticide producer, to let farmers use dicamba after the agency partially banned the product. Use of dicamba has been debated due to its tendency to drift and kill crops on neighboring fields.
Wall Street Journal
17-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- Wall Street Journal
Why Swim Trunks Made of Wool Might Be the Ultimate Beach-to-Bar Shorts
Since about the mid-1900s, men's swim shorts have typically been cut from lightweight nylon, polyamides and polyesters that dry fast and let you sport about freely, despite some drawbacks. Now a cadre of brands, from preppy J. Press to chi chi St. Tropez label Vilebrequin, is trying natural textiles again, offering trunks in cotton and even wool—just like 70-plus years ago. One reason: However sleek a pair of polyester trunks are, they look like they only belong in the deep end. These natural trunks—most lined; some treated to dry faster—often resemble regular shorts, making them far more versatile than their synthetic peers. Non-synthetic cloths also earn environmentally friendly marks (though some of these shorts do retain elasticized waistbands and synthetic lining).
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Monthly Cotton Economic Newsletter: July 2025
Recent Price Movement Chinese and Indian prices moved slightly higher while other markets were flat over the past month. Although the most actively traded December NY/ICE contract floated towards the higher end of its relatively tight range between 67 and 70 cents/lb, it was not able to sustain the move, and the pattern in price movement remains sideways. The latest value is near 67 cents/lb. The A Index also moved within a tight range, drifting between 77 and 80 cents/lb. The current value is near 78 cents/lb. The Chinese Cotton Index (CC Index 3128B) increased slightly in international terms, rising from 92 to 97 cents/lb over the past month. This extended the slow upward trend that has been in place since May, when values set lows around 88 cents/lb. In domestic terms, prices rose from 14,600 to 15,100 RMB/ton over the past month. In May, domestic prices set lows around 14,100 RMB/ton. The RMB was stable near 7.17 RMB/USD over the past month. Indian spot prices (Shankar-6 quality) shifted slightly higher, breaking above recent highs set in May (82 cents/lb or 54,700 INR/candy). Current levels are near 84 cents/lb or 56,000 INR/candy; about one month ago values were closer to 80 cents/lb or 54,000 INR/candy. The INR was stable near 86 INR/USD. Pakistani spot prices held around 70 cents/lb over the past month. In domestic terms, values traded around 16,500 PKR/maund. The PKR was steady around 283 PKR/USD. Supply, Demand & Trade Updates to USDA forecasts for 2025/26 included a +1.4 million bale addition to global production (to 118.4 million) and a +365,000 bale addition to global mill use (to 118.1 million). Revisions to previous crop years lowered 2025/26 beginning stocks -510,000 bales (to 76.8 million). The net effect on the forecast for 2025/26 ending stocks was a +520,000 bale increase (to 77.3 million). This volume represents the largest amount of stocks outside of 2019/20 (Covid) and the period when China was holding massive inventory in its reserve system (2012/13-2015/16). More from Sourcing Journal Why Natural Fibers are a Fashionable Option During Plastic Free July Survey: Global Consumers Turn to Jeans for Comfort Cotton and the Supply Chain: Challenges & Opportunities in 2025 At the country level, the largest changes to 2025/26 production figures were for China (+1.0 million bales, to 31.0 million), the U.S. (+600,000 bales to 14.6 million), Pakistan (-200,000 bales to 5.0 million), and Mexico (+100,000 bales to 800,000). For mill use, the largest revisions were for Pakistan (+300,000 bales to 10.9 million) and Mexico (+100,000 bales to 1.4 million). The global trade estimate for 2025/26 was mostly unchanged (-135,000 bales to 44.7 million). In terms of imports, the largest changes for 2025/26 were for Pakistan (+600,000 bales to 5.9 million) and China (-700,000 bales to 5.8 million). 2024/25 import estimates were lifted for Pakistan (+300,000 bales to 6.1 million) and lowered for China (-300,000 bales to 5.2 million). In terms of exports, there were no revisions of 100,000 bales or more. A notable change to 2024/25 export numbers was for the U.S. (+300,000 bales to 11.8 million). Price Outlook Another series of significant developments hit markets over the past month. Chief among these was the passing of the July 9 deadline the U.S. administration had set for negotiations with most trade partners (the deadline for negotiations with China is set for Aug. 12). Framework tariff increases were released for a range of U.S. trade partners. Many of the increases outlined were close to the levels proposed on April 2. Although tariff increases were initially threatened to go into effect on the July 9 deadline, the application of the current round of duty increases was postponed until Aug. 1. In the meantime, talks are scheduled to continue and tariff rates can be expected to continue to evolve. Despite the string of influential announcements in the policy environment, there was little reaction in the cotton market, with the December NY/ICE contract holding within its 3 cent/lb range between 67 and 70 cents/lb. There were also cotton market-specific developments over the past month. At the end of June, the USDA released an update to its estimate for U.S. planted acreage. Given prices for cotton relative to other crops, and weather-related challenges that may have prevented planting in eastern regions, there were widespread expectations that the June number would have been meaningfully lower than existing figures. However, the June estimate was adjusted slightly higher (from 9.9 to 10.1 million acres). In recent years, there have been important revisions to acreage estimates after June (for example, -500,000 acres from July to August in 2024, -860,000 acres from August to September in 2023, and +1.3 million acres from August to September in 2022), so some uncertainty remains about U.S. acres planted. There has been beneficial moisture in the southwest growing region, and the possibility of a better crop in West Texas contributed to the increase to the forecast for the U.S. These cotton-specific developments also had little perceivable effect on cotton prices, with NY/ICE December futures generally holding within its tight 3 cent range since May. Given the absence of price movement after all these events, there are questions about what could shake cotton prices out of their recent range. There are downside pressures from a slowing global economy and the potential for further increases in global exportable supply looking for buyers. Several of the countries that have the highest threatened tariff rates are also some of largest suppliers of apparel and textiles to the U.S. If tariff rates are increased as much as has been threatened, there could be a chilling effect on downstream orders in the supply chain. On the supply side, if moisture levels can hold up in West Texas during the critical period from late July and through August, there could be an additional couple million bales of exportable production. A factor that could inhibit price decreases could be the near record net short position held already by speculators in the futures market (Commodity Futures and Trading Commission or CFTC data). Since speculators have been so negative on the market, their ability to go even shorter may be limited. Relatedly, a potential factor that could support price gains could be a shift in speculator holdings away from their strong short position. However, speculators likely would need a reason to change their position. Policy uncertainty and projections of slower economic growth keep them from changing their position. Jon Devine, senior economist at Cotton Incorporated, keeps key stakeholders in the textile and investment communities informed via timely market analyses of commodity economics and factors influencing their stability. He generates industry analyses of the various links on the cotton supply chain, contributing to the division's examinations and reports on consumer and retail trends relevant to cotton textile and apparel sectors. For more economic information about the cotton market, visit Cotton Incorporated's Lifestyle Monitor. 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