March-contracts have significantly dropped at the ICE in the course of the reported week. The Cotlook A-Index as well as the Bremen CIF-Index (Bremen Cotton Market) have adjusted, too, though slightly less.
German market participants reported on an expanded search for cotton at an adequate quality and price. Negotiations, however, disclosed still quite diverging price ideas.
Nevertheless the number of contracts has risen, but the quantities were limited. Short-term demand continuously predominated. While prices for all staple fibres like cotton and polyester experienced a rising tendency a week before, the price development has now seemed to be beneficial for cautious orders of available Upland-varieties for medium-term orders.
In the medium staple range contracts were closed for cotton from Central Asia for prompt delivery as well as the 2nd and 3rd quarter 2012, West Africa for prompt and the 2nd quarter 2012 and Brazil for prompt.
Israel Pima was traded for prompt and Giza 88 for the 1st quarter 2012 in the LS/ELS-range.