Final 2025 Cotton Review Analyses 2024/25 Trends & Prices
As the global cotton sector prepares to turn its attention to the 2026 season, the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) has released the final 2025 edition of Cotton: Review of the World Situation, offering a comprehensive assessment of trends, market dynamics, and price movements during the 2024/25 season.
The 17-page publication, available free of charge, serves as a detailed reference point for policymakers, producers, traders, and industry stakeholders seeking clarity on how the cotton market evolved over the past year and what signals are emerging for the season ahead.
Global Production and Consumption Trends
One of the two feature articles, “Global Trends in Cotton: A Review of the 2024/25 Season,” is authored by Parkhi Vats, Economic Affairs Officer at the ICAC Secretariat, and Mike McCue, Communications Director. The article delivers a panoramic view of the season, drawing insights from major cotton-producing and consuming countries. It highlights recurring themes that shaped market behaviour, evaluates supply-demand developments, and outlines early expectations for the 2025/26 season.
Cotton Prices and Market Adjustments
The second feature, “Cotton Prices in 2024/25: A Season of Adjustment,” is written by Lorena Ruiz, Review Editor and ICAC Economist. The analysis explores how cotton prices responded to shifting macroeconomic conditions, while also underlining the increasing influence of long-term structural factors such as environmental regulations and changing trade policies on market sentiment.
Looking ahead, Ruiz notes that pricing dynamics will be shaped by a combination of economic, policy, and operational pressures.
“Looking ahead to 2026, cotton prices will be influenced not only by global growth and policy stability, but also by producers’ ability to manage rising input costs and climate uncertainty as the sector adjusts to evolving market conditions,” she said.
Together, the two articles provide a nuanced understanding of how global cotton markets navigated volatility in 2024/25 and offer informed perspectives on the challenges and opportunities likely to define the next season.
The final 2025 edition of Cotton: Review of the World Situation can be accessed through the ICAC’s official publication channels.