The Market’s Advice: Plant, Plant, Plant!

 

Cotton, the fiber of choice – plant…plant…plant.

 

Cotton prices posted another impressive week to the upside as world demand continues to expand. U.S. cotton is enjoying an enviable position. While the supply of high grade cotton in the U.S. is limited this season (as throughout the world), the U.S. has an abundant supply of low grade cotton that is competing extremely favorably in the world market. Literally, the market U.S. low grades – the most contamination free in the world – is driving export demand higher with each passing week.

 

U.S. exports will increase well above the current USDA estimate of 14.5 million bales. Consequently, U.S. ending stocks will be substantially lower than the current bloated USDA estimate of 6.0 million bales.

 

Granted, USDA estimates are an attempt to hit this season’s rapidly moving target – a target that is much more dynamic than usual. World cotton demand has simply caught forecasters off guard. In the coming months and beginning with the March estimates, look for significant changes involving production, exports, both U.S. and world ending stocks and, hopefully, a clearer understanding of the Indian stocks fiasco.

 

The market is clearly making that point.

 

Further, both U.S. and world carryover are expected to be as much as 2.0 million bales lower than the current USDA estimates. The world is experiencing its third consecutive drawdown in world cotton stocks. As noted in prior newsletters, both export demand and the need by textile mills to make end-of-season pricing decisions will not only support old crop prices at current levels, but also drive prices higher. Additionally, as world and U.S. ending stocks are lowered, the new crop December price will push toward the low 80s, and likely higher.

 

Thus, my leading comment – plant…plant…plant.

 

As discussed last week, export sales ready for shipment have reached a record level. Pickups appeared to improve last week, and reports are that additional improvements will come week by week. Thus, U.S. exports are now set to surpass the current USDA estimate of 14.5 million bales and will likely climb to 15.5 million bales – some one million above the current USDA estimate. Actually, it will not be surprising to see exports climb to 16 million bales. Some estimates are as much as two million bales higher than the current USDA estimate.

 

Also, as addressed last week, shipments will continue to remain at unusually high levels into the 2018-19 winter months and into the spring of 2019 as the demand for U.S. cotton continues to build.

 

Chinese demand is expected to remain strong. As the 2018 domestic auctions begin to unfold, it will be necessary for the Chinese Reserve Stocks sales to continue robust if the U.S. is to increase its sales to China. Certainly active sales to China will continue, but they could be slowed slightly if the domestic auction moves slow. Nevertheless, demand is strong.