According to the National Cotton Council’s 40th annual Early Season Planting Intentions Survey, U.S. cotton producers intend to plant 11.5 million cotton acres in 2021, down 5.2% from 2020. Upland cotton intentions are 11.3 million acres, down 4.9% from 2020, while extra-long staple (ELS) intentions of 161,000 acres represent a 20.7% decline.
The NCC questionnaire was mailed in December to producers across the 17-state Cotton Belt. It asked for the number of acres devoted to cotton and other crops in 2020 and the acres planned for the coming season. Survey responses were collected through mid-January.
Those from the Southeast responding to the survey indicated a 4.2% decrease in the region’s upland area to 2.3 million acres. In Alabama, the survey responses indicate a 9.3% decrease in cotton acreage and increases in corn, wheat and soybeans. In Florida, respondents indicated slightly less cotton and more corn and peanuts. In Georgia, cotton acreage is expected to decline by 8.6% as growers expect to plant more corn, wheat, soybeans and peanuts. In North Carolina and South Carolina, growers expect to increase cotton acreage by 13.4% and 2.6%, respectively. Cotton acreage is expected to decline by 10% percent in Virginia, while an increase in corn, soybeans, and ‘other crops’ is expected.
To see more of the survey results, which were released today during the NCC’s 2021 Virtual Annual Meeting, click here.