ICE cotton mixed as July drops 187 points while deferred contracts gain 50–85 points

USDA reported weekly cotton export sales of 83,864 running bales (RB) for 2025/26 in the week of 6/18, a six-week low but slightly above the same week last year. New-crop sales totaled 67,089 RB, also a six-week low. Shipments reached 300,155 RB, a four-week high and up 46.64% from the same week in 2025. ICE cotton futures showed a weaker nearby July contract and firmer deferred months, with July down 187 points while December and March posted gains.