NEW YORK, Oct 9: US cotton net upland sales should edge higher when USDA releases its weekly export sales report on Thursday.

Cotton sales are expected to range from 70,000 to 125,000 running bales (RBs, 500-lb), up from the 54,300 RBs reported in last week’s USDA sales report.

USDA, in its September monthly production report, forecast US cotton exports of 11.2 million (480-lb) bales in 2002/03.

Brokers forecast shipments will probably hover from 40,000 to 70,000 RBs, against shipments last week of 108,900 RBs.

It’s going to be low because of the West Coast lockout and the hurricane which shut down New Orleans, one said.—Reuters