Report Industry Investment Rating - Not provided in the given content Core View of the Report - The global cotton supply side is experiencing a "double reduction" in exports from Brazil and the United States. The bottom characteristics of US cotton prices are clear under the dual signals of cost inversion and basis repair, and an upward channel for cotton prices is expected to open [2]. Summary by Relevant Catalogs 1. Supply - side Contraction Expectation Continues to Strengthen - **Brazil**: As the world's largest cotton exporter, it ends a 5 - year capacity expansion. The CONAB report on January 15 predicts a 6.3% year - on - year decrease in cotton production in 25/26, with continuous downward revisions since October 2025. The core producing state of Mato Grosso is expected to have a more radical production cut of 14.5% [3]. - **United States**: The latest WASDE report on January 12 significantly revises down the 25/26 cotton yield per unit by 7.8%, reduces production by 2.5%, and the inventory - to - consumption ratio drops, significantly alleviating inventory pressure [3]. 2. Hard Logic Behind the Production Cut - **Brazilian farmers' profit situation**: Brazilian cotton farmers face a loss with a cost - return rate of - 15.5%, while the competing second - season corn still has an 8.4% return, and the operating cost of corn is only one - third of that of cotton [4]. - **Sowing progress**: Brazil's current sowing rate is only 8.1% (compared to 14.2% in the same period last year). Missing the best growth period for cotton will further strengthen the production cut expectation [4]. 3. Clear Bottoming of US Cotton Prices - **Cost inversion**: The current price (~65 cents/pound) is significantly lower than the average US planting cost (~80 cents/pound) and approaches the policy mortgage interest rate (54.4 cents/pound), with very limited downward space [5]. - **Basis signal**: The basis of basic - grade cotton is at a historical low. High - quality cotton in January has shown a positive basis, which is judged as a leading signal for a medium - term upward price movement [5]. - **Investment advice**: With the implementation of the production cut expectation and the stricter traceability of clothing exports to the United States, the procurement concentration of US cotton is expected to increase. It is recommended to focus on [Bailong Eastern Co., Ltd.], and related target [Texhong International Group]. The low - cost cotton inventory held by these companies will release significant profit elasticity during the upward cycle of cotton prices, and the gross profit margin is expected to be repaired in a positive basis environment [5]. Historical US Cotton Price Analysis - The historical US cotton price has fluctuated greatly due to various factors such as events, policies, and climate. For example, in 2011, the cotton price reached a new high due to factors such as China's cotton purchase and storage policy, India's export ban, and Pakistan's floods [8]. Global Cotton Production and Export Situation - **24/25 Global Top Ten Cotton - Producing Countries**: The top four cotton - producing countries (China, India, Brazil, and the United States) account for about 73% of the total global output. China and India mainly consume their output domestically, while Brazil and the United States export their output [19]. - **24/25 Global Top Ten Cotton - Exporting Countries**: Brazil and the United States together account for nearly 60% of the global cotton export volume. The change in Brazil's supply - demand structure will have a significant impact on the trend of US cotton prices [22]. - **Production Growth of Top Ten Cotton - Exporting Countries**: From 20/21 - 24/25, the production growth rates of different countries vary. For example, Mali has a 257% growth rate, while India has a - 16% growth rate [24]. US Cotton Situation - **25/26 Production Forecast**: Despite the expected increase in the harvested area of US 25/26 cotton, the yield per unit is significantly reduced by 7.8%, resulting in a 2.5% decrease in production compared to the December forecast and a 3.4% decrease compared to 2024/25. The inventory - to - consumption ratio decreases [27]. - **Export Market Change**: In 2018, affected by the Sino - US trade friction, Vietnam became the largest importer of US cotton. In 2024, China regained the top position. It is expected that Southeast Asian countries may increase their procurement of US cotton [29]. Brazilian Cotton Situation - **25/26 Supply and Demand Forecast**: The CONAB report on January 15, 2026, predicts that Brazil's 25/26 cotton planting area will decrease by 2.8% compared to 2024/25, and the output is expected to be 3.82 million tons, a 6.3% decrease from the October 2025 forecast [31]. - **Sowing and Yield**: The sowing rate and yield of Brazilian cottonseeds in 25/26 are lower than last year. The sowing rate is 31.9%, 1.6 percentage points lower than 24/25, and the expected output of cottonseeds in 25/26 is down 6.3% year - on - year and 3.6% month - on - month [34]. - **Mato Grosso State**: The IMEA has significantly reduced the 25/26 planting area in Mato Grosso State by 7.3%, and the total lint output is expected to decrease by 14.5% due to area reduction and yield per unit returning to the average [38]. - **Profit Analysis**: Brazilian cotton planting in the 25/26 season has a cost - return rate of - 15.5%. Competing second - season corn has a better profit situation, and there is a possibility of farmers switching to corn planting. In addition, the current price of Brazilian lint is lower than the US cotton futures price, and the basis decline is widening [40].