Cotton Prices Continue to Rise

Cotton prices continue to rise in the commodity markets.  Today's price just peaked at $1.20 per pound, up from an average cost of $67.00 last summer.  The Chinese future market is trading cotton fiber in the $1.60 range.  Yarn prices climbing also, with 18/1 yarn (the same as used in Tshirts) increasing from $0.90 last summer to $1.34 today.  Raw cotton fiber is totally sold out in the commodity markets.  Some 2011 futures were offered but have since been withdrawn. 

With these increases, 2011 tee shirts will cost more, and could very well be in short supply next spring.  I would look to program some of your program purchases and place them no later than the first quarter of 2011.