Group 1 - The core viewpoint of the article highlights the fluctuations in cotton futures prices on the ICE, with a slight increase observed on December 24, 2023, where the price opened at 64.01 cents per pound and reached a current price of 64.06 cents per pound, marking a 0.06% increase [1] - On December 23, the opening price for cotton futures was reported at 63.61 cents per pound, with a closing price of 63.90 cents per pound, reflecting a 0.36% increase [2] - The Brazilian CEPEA/ESALQ cotton price index was reported at 62.74 cents per pound on December 23, showing an increase of 0.97% from the previous day, but a decrease of 3.52% compared to the same period last month [2] Group 2 - The USDA's weekly export sales report indicated that for the week ending December 11, the net sales of U.S. upland cotton for the 2025/26 marketing year were 304,689 bales, significantly higher than the previous week's 153,266 bales [2] - The export volume for the same week was reported at 134,371 bales, also an increase from the prior week's 101,577 bales [2] - The USDA forecasts that Pakistan's cotton production for the 2025/26 marketing year will remain at 1.089 million tons, unchanged year-on-year, but significantly lower than previous bumper crop years [2]

Core Viewpoint - The China Cotton Association's survey indicates a significant increase in cotton production for 2025, with a total expected output of 7.216 million tons, marking an 8.3% year-on-year growth and the highest level since 2013 [1] Summary by Sections National Overview - The total cotton planting area in China is projected to be 44.823 million acres, reflecting a 1.8% year-on-year increase [1] - The overall health of cotton crops is reported positively, with 68.7% of surveyed farmers indicating good crop conditions, an increase of 15.8 percentage points year-on-year [1] - Cotton diseases are more prevalent than last year, but the proportion of fields with lighter diseases is 76.5%, down 6 percentage points year-on-year, while 53.2% of fields report lighter pest issues, down 13.9 percentage points year-on-year [1] Regional Analysis - In Xinjiang, the total cotton production is expected to reach approximately 6.911 million tons, a 9.2% increase year-on-year, accounting for 95.8% of the national total [2] - The expected yield in Xinjiang is 169 kg per acre, up 5.7% year-on-year, with 70.6% of surveyed farmers reporting good crop conditions, an increase of 13 percentage points year-on-year [2] - The cotton harvest in Xinjiang is anticipated to begin from late September to early October, with defoliation work already underway in some areas [2] Other Regions - In Gansu, cotton production is expected to be 48,000 tons, a 2.6% increase year-on-year, remaining stable compared to previous estimates [3] - The Yangtze River basin is projected to produce 87,000 tons, a 19.1% decrease year-on-year, while the Yellow River basin is expected to yield 168,000 tons, a 5.3% decrease year-on-year [3] - In Gansu, 55.5% of surveyed farmers reported good crop conditions, an increase of 17.3 percentage points year-on-year, despite increased pest issues [3]