Market reference update: Contract examples below may be historical. See the official exchange resources for current listings and terms.
Cotton futures are standardized, exchange-traded contracts in which the contract buyer agrees to take delivery, from the seller, a specific quantity of cotton (eg. 50000 pounds) at a predetermined price on a future delivery date.
Cotton Futures Exchanges
You can trade Cotton futures at New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX).
NYMEX Cotton futures prices are quoted in dollars and cents per pound and are traded in lot sizes of 50000 pounds .
Official futures market resources
Use the exchange pages for current contract specifications and margin information. Quotes may be delayed or require sign-in. Margin requirements vary by position and broker.
| Exchange & futures product | Market information | Margin information |
|---|---|---|
| ICE Cotton No. 2 (CT) | Quotes / market data Contract specifications | View margin information |
These are current ICE market resources. Legacy NYMEX, Euronext/Liffe or TGE listings in the historical discussion must not be assumed to have the same contract specifications.
Exchange references reviewed 2026-09-12. Educational examples and exchange names elsewhere in this article may be historical.
Cotton Price Chart — CFD Reference
Capital.com Cotton CFD reference price. This broker CFD (contract for difference) is a market reference, not a spot price or an exchange futures contract. Prices and quoting units may differ from the contracts described in this guide. Check the widget timestamp and market status; prices may be delayed.
Cotton Futures Trading Basics
Consumers and producers of cotton can manage cotton price risk by purchasing and selling cotton futures. Cotton producers can employ a short hedge to lock in a selling price for the cotton they produce while businesses that require cotton can utilize a long hedge to secure a purchase price for the commodity they need.
Cotton futures are also traded by speculators who assume the price risk that hedgers try to avoid in return for a chance to profit from favorable cotton price movement. Speculators buy cotton futures when they believe that cotton prices will go up. Conversely, they will sell cotton futures when they think that cotton prices will fall.
