Cotton futures rose to a nine-week high as exports surged from the U.S., the worldΆs biggest shipper.

In the four weeks that ended Dec. 13, U.S. export sales of upland cotton soared sixfold from a year earlier,
Department of Agriculture data showed on Dec. 20. Cotlook Ltd., the publisher of a benchmark price index, raised its forecast for global consumption, citing increases in countries including India.

“Export sales are humming along, continuing at a good pace,” Gary Raines, an economist at FCStone Fibers and Textiles in Nashville, Tennessee, said in a telephone interview.

Cotton for March delivery climbed 0.4 percent to 76.72 cents a pound at 11:43 a.m. on ICE Futures U.S. in New York. Earlier, the price reached 76.73 cents, the highest for a most- active contract since Oct. 23.

Through Dec. 24, the fiber dropped 17 percent this year as global inventories expanded. Yesterday, the market was closed for a holiday.