USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) released their September crop reports today, and Becky Sommer with NASS in Washington D.C. says the U.S. cotton production estimate is up 27 percent from last year’s crop.
All cotton production is forecast at 18.5 million 480-pound bales, up 7 percent from the previous estimate and up 27 percent from 2020. Acreage updates were made in several States based on a thorough review of all available data. All cotton planted area totaled 11.2 million acres, down 5 percent from the previous forecast and down 8 percent from 2020. All cotton area harvested is forecast at 9.92 million acres, down 4 percent from the previous month but up 20 percent from 2020.
As of August 29th, eighty?six percent of the cotton acreage was setting bolls, 6 percent behind last year and 8 percent behind the 5?year average. Twenty?one percent of the cotton acreage was opening bolls, 7 percent behind last year and 5 percent behind the 5?year average. As of August 29th, seventy percent of the cotton acreage was rated in good to excellent condition, compared with 44 percent at the same time last year.
Cotton production in Georgia is forecast at 2.20 million bales, up 1 percent from last year. In Alabama, production is forecast at 770,000 bales, up 5 percent from 2020. Florida production is expected to total 150,000 bales, 46 percent above last year.
In summary, all cotton production is forecast at 18.5 million 480-pound bales, up 27 percent from 2020.
This is Becky Sommer with the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service.