Cottonseed Meal Price Trend and Forecast 2026-2027

China paid the most for cottonseed meal in Q3 2026: USD 430/MT, down 0.9% from USD 434/MT in Q2. Import costs, freight and steady demand from feed mills keep Chinese prices above the other three markets. Worldwide, the average fell 1.1% to USD 360/MT from USD 364/MT, mostly because larger supplies of cottonseed and lower prices of soybean meal led crushers and traders to lower offers in all four markets. What about Q4 2026? We expect a global average somewhere in the USD 345-375/MT range, with cotton crop size, crushing volumes, prices of soybean meal and demand from dairy and poultry feed makers doing most of the work.

Cottonseed meal is the protein-rich solid left after oil is pressed or extracted from cottonseed. It contains about 36 to 41 percent protein and is fed to dairy cattle, beef cattle and, in limited amounts, to pigs and poultry. Prices in this report refer to 41 percent protein cottonseed meal in bulk and are quoted per metric ton. They depend on the cotton crop, crushing volumes, prices of soybean meal and demand from feed makers.

China, India, Pakistan, Brazil and the United States produce most of the supply, and output follows cottonseed crushing. The meal competes with soybean meal and rapeseed meal, and buyers use it when it is cheaper per unit of protein. A natural compound called gossypol limits the amount that can be fed, so use is highest in cattle rations.

Cottonseed Meal Price Forecast for 2026

Prices should ease slightly through the rest of 2026. Cottonseed supplies are larger and prices of soybean meal are soft, but steady demand from dairy feed makers limits the size of the decline. Year on year, the global average has moved from USD 355/MT to USD 360/MT, an increase of 1.4%.

For Q4, the risks are weighted toward lower prices. What could push prices higher? A smaller cotton crop, higher soybean meal prices or stronger demand from dairy farms would lift prices. What could pull them lower? A larger cotton crop, lower soybean meal prices or weaker feed demand would lower prices.

For the Quarter Ending September 2026

Cottonseed Meal Prices Q3 2026:

• Pakistan: USD 310/MT
• India: USD 335/MT
• United States: USD 365/MT
• China: USD 430/MT

Cottonseed Meal Prices in Pakistan

Pakistan recorded a 1.6% decline in Q3 2026, with the average falling to USD 310/MT from USD 315/MT in Q2. Pakistani prices fell as the supply of cottonseed meal increased. The Q3 2025 average of USD 305/MT puts the current price 1.6% above its level a year earlier. In comparison with the average of USD 360/MT across the four markets, the price in Pakistan was 13.9% lower.

Why did the price of Cottonseed Meal change in Q3 2026 in Pakistan?

Pakistan declined. Supply of cottonseed meal increased, crushers lowered offers, and demand from poultry feed makers was soft. At USD 310/MT, Pakistan is 0.3% higher than in Q4 2025, when the average was USD 309/MT, and the global average is 0.6% higher over the same period. On the global measure the average was 1.1% lower over the quarter.

Cottonseed Meal Prices in India

The Q3 2026 average for India stood at USD 335/MT, a decrease of 1.2% on the USD 339/MT recorded in Q2. Indian prices fell as arrivals of cottonseed meal increased. Year on year, the average is 1.5% higher, against USD 330/MT in Q3 2025. India ended the quarter 6.9% below the group average of USD 360/MT.

Why did the price of Cottonseed Meal change in Q3 2026 in India?

India declined. Arrivals of cottonseed meal increased, crushers lowered prices, and demand from dairy feed makers was soft. This leaves India 0.6% higher than at the end of 2025, when the average was USD 333/MT, while the global average is 0.6% higher over the same period. For comparison, the global average moved 1.1% lower over the same quarter.

Cottonseed Meal Prices in United States

The United States registered a 1.1% decrease in Q3 2026, taking the average to USD 365/MT from USD 369/MT in Q2. American prices eased as the supply of cottonseed meal increased. The current level is 1.4% above the Q3 2025 average of USD 360/MT. The price in the United States was 1.4% above the group average of USD 360/MT in Q3 2026.

Why did the price of Cottonseed Meal change in Q3 2026 in United States?

The United States eased. Supply of cottonseed meal increased, oil mills lowered offers, and demand from dairy farms was soft. From USD 363/MT at the close of 2025 to USD 365/MT in Q3 2026, the price in the United States has risen 0.6%, and the global average has risen 0.6%. The global average shifted 1.1% lower in the same quarter.

Cottonseed Meal Prices in China

China eased 0.9% to USD 430/MT in Q3 2026, from USD 434/MT in Q2. Chinese prices eased as imports of cottonseed meal increased. A year earlier, in Q3 2025, the average stood at USD 425/MT, which makes the current price 1.2% higher. The gap to the four-market average of USD 360/MT was 19.4% above for China.

Why did the price of Cottonseed Meal change in Q3 2026 in China?

China eased. Imports of cottonseed meal increased, traders lowered prices, and demand from feed mills was soft. Across the first three quarters of 2026, China has moved up 0.5% from USD 428/MT in Q4 2025 to USD 430/MT, against a 0.6% gain for the global average. Across the four markets the average was 1.1% lower on the quarter.

For the Quarter Ending June 2026

Cottonseed Meal Prices Q2 2026:

• Pakistan: USD 315/MT
• India: USD 339/MT
• United States: USD 369/MT
• China: USD 434/MT

Cottonseed Meal Prices in Pakistan

Pakistan gained 1.3% to USD 315/MT in Q2 2026, from USD 311/MT in Q1. Pakistani prices rose as the demand from poultry feed makers strengthened. Compared with Q2 2025, when Pakistan averaged USD 299/MT, the current price is 5.4% higher. Against the four-market average of USD 364/MT, Pakistan stood 13.5% below in the quarter.

Why did the price of Cottonseed Meal change in Q2 2026 in Pakistan?

Pakistan rose. Demand from poultry feed makers strengthened, cottonseed costs went up, and crushers lifted offers. This came on top of a 0.6% gain in Q1, and the average ended 5.4% above its level of a year earlier, when it stood at USD 299/MT. Q3 reversed some of the change, with the price at USD 310/MT.

Cottonseed Meal Prices in India

In Q2 2026, the average price in India rose 0.9% to USD 339/MT, compared with USD 336/MT in Q1. Indian prices rose as the demand from dairy feed makers strengthened. Measured against Q2 2025, when the average stood at USD 325/MT, the market is 4.3% higher. India finished Q2 2026 6.9% below the four-market average of USD 364/MT.

Why did the price of Cottonseed Meal change in Q2 2026 in India?

India rose. Demand from dairy feed makers strengthened, power costs went up, and crushers lifted prices. Q1 had brought a 0.9% gain, and by the end of Q2 the price was 4.3% above the Q2 2025 average of USD 325/MT. The price then partly reversed in Q3, to USD 335/MT. On the global measure the average was 0.8% higher over the quarter.

Cottonseed Meal Prices in United States

The United States' average moved up 0.8% in Q2 2026, to USD 369/MT from USD 366/MT in Q1. American prices rose as the demand from dairy farms strengthened. In Q2 2025 the average was USD 354/MT, so the market is 4.2% higher on a yearly basis. The four markets averaged USD 364/MT in the quarter, so the price in the United States was 1.4% higher.

Why did the price of Cottonseed Meal change in Q2 2026 in United States?

The United States rose. Demand from dairy farms strengthened, trucking costs went up, and oil mills lifted offers. Coming after a 0.8% gain in Q1, the Q2 figure sits 4.2% above the USD 354/MT of Q2 2025. Part of the move was reversed in Q3, leaving the price at USD 365/MT. For comparison, the global average moved 0.8% higher over the same quarter.

Cottonseed Meal Prices in China

Prices in China firmed 0.9% in Q2 2026 to USD 434/MT, compared with USD 430/MT in Q1. Chinese prices rose as the demand from feed mills strengthened. This represents a 3.3% increase on the USD 420/MT recorded in Q2 2025. In comparison with the average of USD 364/MT across the four markets, the price in China was 19.2% higher.

Why did the price of Cottonseed Meal change in Q2 2026 in China?

China rose. Demand from feed mills strengthened, import costs went up, and traders lifted prices. The 0.5% gain in Q1 set the base, and Q2 finished 3.3% above the USD 420/MT recorded a year earlier. Q3 reversed some of the change, with the price at USD 430/MT. The global average shifted 0.8% higher in the same quarter.

Quarterly Cottonseed Meal Price Trends

Cottonseed Meal prices rose through 2025 and the first half of 2026 before easing in the third quarter in all four markets. The global average moved from USD 345/MT in Q1 2025 to 350 in Q2, 355 in Q3 and 358 in Q4, then 361 in Q1 2026, 364 in Q2 and 360 in Q3, a net gain of roughly 4.3% across the window. Higher soybean meal prices and steady demand from dairy feed makers lifted prices for five quarters, and larger supplies of cottonseed caused a decline in the third quarter.

What was Cottonseed Meal Price in 2025?

2025 was a year of gradual increases for cottonseed meal, with prices rising in each quarter in all four markets. Starting near USD 345/MT in Q1, the global average finished the year at 358 in Q4, a gain of about 3.8%. Higher soybean meal prices and steady demand from dairy feed makers supported crushers throughout the year.

Cottonseed Meal Prices in Pakistan in 2025

In Pakistan, prices moved from about USD 294/MT in Q1 2025 to USD 309/MT by Q4, up roughly 5.1%. Pakistani prices rose gradually as cottonseed costs and demand from poultry feed makers increased. Relative to the end of 2025, the price in Pakistan is 0.3% higher at USD 310/MT. The quarterly breakdown above allows each stage of that path to be traced.

Cottonseed Meal Prices in India in 2025

In India, prices moved from about USD 321/MT in Q1 2025 to USD 333/MT by Q4, up roughly 3.7%. Indian prices rose gradually as power costs and demand from dairy feed makers increased. By Q3 2026 the average for India had reached USD 335/MT, 0.6% above the Q4 2025 close. The same regional pattern is carried into the quarterly analysis above, where the quarter-by-quarter figures can be traced.

Cottonseed Meal Prices in United States in 2025

In the United States, prices moved from about USD 349/MT in Q1 2025 to USD 363/MT by Q4, up roughly 4.0%. American prices rose gradually as trucking costs and demand from dairy farms increased. The latest quarter places the United States at USD 365/MT, which is 0.6% above the level at which 2025 ended.

Cottonseed Meal Prices in China in 2025

In China, prices moved from about USD 415/MT in Q1 2025 to USD 428/MT by Q4, up roughly 3.1%. Chinese prices rose gradually as import costs and demand from feed mills increased. Since the 2025 close of USD 428/MT, the price in China has moved up 0.5%, reaching USD 430/MT in Q3 2026.

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Expert Market Research: Your Source for Real-Time Cottonseed Meal Price Intelligence

We keep a continuous eye on cottonseed meal prices wherever it is produced or consumed at scale, tracing causation through cotton crop size, crushing volumes, protein content, prices of soybean meal and demand from dairy feed makers. Our forecasts draw on production data, trade flows, input cost trends and demand indicators across all reporting regions, so subscribers see why a price moved and not just that it did. Need pricing data, bespoke market analysis, or procurement advisory? Reach out to our team.