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Slight Decrease in U.S. Cotton Production Forecast

Dan Cotton, USDA-NASS

cotton production

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) released its September crop reports. Chris Singh with NASS in Washington, D.C., says the U.S. cotton production estimate is down slightly from last month’s report.

All cotton production is forecast at 21.9 million 480-pound bales, down 3 percent from the previous forecast but up 19 percent from 2018. Based on conditions as of Sept. 1, yields are expected to average 839 pounds per harvested acre, down 16 pounds from the previous forecast and down 25 pounds from 2018. Upland cotton production is forecast at 21.1 million 480-pound bales, down 3 percent from the previous forecast but up 20 percent from 2018.

Cotton production in Georgia is forecast at 2.7 million bales, up 38 percent from last year. In Alabama, production is forecast at 1.05 million bales, up 18 percent from 2018. Florida production is expected to total 210,000 bales, more than double last year.

In summary, all cotton production is forecast at 21.9 million 480-pound bales, up 19 percent from 2018.