Moving More
Than Cotton.
American Cotton Shippers Association
We are a federation of merchants, shippers, warehousemen, brokers, gins, banks, futures brokers, and logistics experts. And while we manage the majority of the world’s cotton sales and shipments, we move more than just that.
With global information, we move ideas forward. With influence and advocacy, we move people to believe in our future. With infinite dedication, we move anything in the way of our industry’s progress. And we will never stop.
Providing global insights on trade and pricing
Enhancing transparency, security, and risk management
Advocating for a more efficient and sustainable future
Collaborating with leaders and policymakers
We keep the wheels of progress moving for the entire cotton industry.
For the
supply chain
Our members contractually obligate themselves to be responsible for supply chain risks and bind themselves to performing the logistics of global delivery. Our association activities create a forum for members of the intermodal supply chain to collaborate with leaders in the global cotton trade to focus on increasing efficiency in their relationships.
ADVANTAGES ACSA MEMBERSHIP PROVIDES TO THE SUPPLY CHAIN
ACSA is an advocate for supply chain velocity, efficiency, and safety.
ACSA actively engages in governmental and industry relations to promote policy and funding to enhance freight movement throughout the U.S. and global supply chain.
ACSA’s policy can be described as “outcome oriented” while conscious of the need for logical regulatory oversight and procedures prescribed by the Federal Maritime Commission and Surface Transportation Board under the jurisdiction of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the U.S. House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the U.S. Senate.
ACSA values its partnership in advocacy with other key stakeholder groups engaged in our industry like The Agricultural Transportation Coalition, The Ocean Carriers Equipment Management Association, and the Journal of Commerce.
For
mills and
manufacturers
You gain access to a large array of services for cotton buyers around the world. Our expert risk management services help you protect and plan for everything from price to timing, quality, currency, and logistics. And as markets sway over time, sophisticated strategies to mitigate risk become more important. It’s why ACSA handles a majority of the U.S. cotton shipments domestically and abroad.
ADVANTAGES ACSA MEMBERSHIP PROVIDES TO MILLS AND MANUFACTURERS
Your Desired Cotton: ACSA members feature the offering of high quality, sustainable, contamination-free Cotton USA Brand cotton. These sales are made with unparalleled support, flexibility, and substitutability from the sale of other global growths of cotton. Collectively, these sourcing options afford ACSA customers access to the world’s most comprehensive and dependable source of cotton.
Customized Risk Management Strategy and Expertise: ACSA members offer a comprehensive view of global cotton supply chain economics and logistics that equip our customers with the ability to make their most informed sourcing decisions.
Unparalleled logistics: A mill’s decision to source cotton is only performed when the agreed upon quality arrives on time. Purchases contracted with ACSA members are supported by extensive, modernized intermodal shipping infrastructure and systems, designed to enhance supply chain velocity and dependability.
Customer Service: ACSA Members offer cotton to their customers in a manner that provides value through:
- Supplying Cotton Particularly Selected to a Mill’s Exact Specifications
- Providing Sales in Advance to the Extent Requested to Solidify Streamlined Supply and Cash Flow
- Competitive, Diverse Pricing Methods
- Versatility in Rejection and Sampling Criteria
- Customizable, Regular Delivery Installments
- Financing and Foreign Exchange
For
cotton
producers
You can receive custom-tailored services to help you grow. Like flexible sales options, including the potential to sell your entire crop with 100% cash against delivery. That means immediate cash flow when it matters. In many cases, ACSA members are able to lessen their price risk by allowing their producer customers to market cotton at a fixed price based on production history, not a fluctuating market.
ADVANTAGES OF ACSA MEMBERSHIP FOR GROWERS
- ACSA members specialize in creating risk management strategies that minimize cost and maximize return. This allows growers to sell their physical cotton, receive prompt payment, and implement strategies to participate in upside market trends with risk at their comfort level.
- Additionally, ACSA members offer growers:
- Trusted partnership for Almost 100 Years
- Transparent Dispute Resolutions
- Purchasing and Sourcing of all Cotton Fiber Qualities
- Logistical Services to Consumers
- Competitive, Diverse Pricing Methods
- Timely Receipt of Cotton
- Prompt, In-Full Payment Against Delivery, at Origin
- Marketing and Risk Management Counsel and Services
- Financing and Foreign Exchange
- A Liaison to the Textile Milling Community in Problem Resolution
- Provision of All Capital for Transactions and Acceptance of All Commercial Risks
- Staffing Presence in Consumptive Markets
FOR OUR CURRENT
ACSA MEMBERS
This is where you can find affiliates, networking opportunities, rules, default lists, and more.
CONVENTION
ACSA Convention 2025
Join us in Palm Beach, Florida for the 2025 ACSA Annual Convention. More information on the event can be found on the convention page.
Become a Member
Application for membership in ACSA is handled through the four federated associations of ACSA, which represent the seventeen states throughout the cotton belt. Upon joining ACSA as a Merchant, Primary Buyer or Mill Service Agent member, you also become a member of the National Cotton Council.
ACSA INTERNATIONAL COTTON INSTITUTE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS
The ACSA International Cotton Institute is a six week residential program designed to provide a basic education in all aspects of the cotton industry and the international business environment for men and women worldwide.
From field to fabric, to manual classing and the use of HVI data, through risk management and the basics of price protection – the program offers an in-depth look at cotton from virtually every perspective.
We look forward to restarting the program this year! More information can be found here.
American Cotton Shippers Association® 88 Union Avenue, Suite 1204 Memphis, TN 38103 PH: 901-525-2272 FX: 901-527-8303