White Gold: Egyptian Cotton Becomes World’s Most Valuable Extra-Long Staple

Egyptian cotton has reclaimed its historical prestige on the global stage, now ranking as the most expensive extra-long staple (ELS) cotton variety in the world, overtaking the long-dominant American Pima for the first time in the 21st century under comparable shipping and quality conditions.

According to informed sources within the Egyptian Cotton Exporters Association, the price of Egyptian “white gold” has risen to 172–175 cents per pound, outpacing U.S. Pima cotton, which has remained steady at 167 cents per pound. The benchmark Giza 94 variety has led the charge in major Asian markets, traditionally strongholds for premium ELS cotton.

“This marks a historic pricing shift,” one source stated. “For years, American Pima held the premium due to consistency and marketing dominance. But now, global buyers are responding to the improving quality of Egyptian crops and tightening global supply.”

The leap in Egyptian cotton prices comes amid a surge in international demand and a notable rebound in local crop quality. Just a year ago, U.S. Pima held a price advantage of up to 100 cents per pound over its Egyptian counterpart.

Egyptian cotton is currently being traded at $2.25 per pound for August and September deliveries, cementing its top-tier pricing status.

Data for the week ending July 24 also showed modest gains for U.S. Pima, with net sales rising by 100 bales and total shipments reaching 8,700 bales (each U.S. bale equals 480 pounds).

The total area planted with cotton in Egypt during the 2024–2025 season reached 311,000 feddans (approximately 130,000 hectares). The crop was sown in March 2024 and harvested in October. Despite an initial government-set guarantee price of EGP 12,000 per qintar, the floor price was later revised to EGP 10,000, a figure that also served as the opening price for public auctions.

From the start of the export season in September 2024 to July 20, 2025, Egypt exported 36,400 metric tons of ginned cotton worth nearly $120 million, with 17 Asian and European countries receiving shipments.

Industry sources expect continued upward pressure on Egyptian cotton prices in the months ahead, buoyed by rising demand and limited global supply for top-grade ELS fibers.