Cotton is a commonly traded agricultural commodity and natural fibre which originated approximately 7,000 years ago. It grows in tropical regions, which means that cotton’s price can often be affected by climate conditions. A staple in the textiles industry, cotton is commonly used to make clothing items and other materials such as flannel and corduroy. It can also be used in the production of cooking oil, soaps, bandages, pharmaceuticals and bank notes. The spot price of cotton is also impacted by global demand, oil price fluctuations and stockpiling from importing countries. The world’s largest cotton-producing countries include India, China, Pakistan, Brazil and Mexico. View our live Cotton price chart and spread bet or trade CFDs .