Cotton acreage is on the rise across much of the Southeast this year, according to USDA’s latest Acreage Report. Growers in Georgia, Alabama and Florida all expanded planted acres over last season, reflecting continued optimism despite ongoing market and weather challenges.
The new numbers come from the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Becky Sommer, Chair of the USDA NASS Agricultural Statistics Board, says the report provides one of the most comprehensive looks at this year’s crop.
According to the report, Georgia producers planted an estimated 1 million acres of cotton, up 20 percent from last year. Alabama growers increased cotton acreage by 24 percent to 360,000 acres, while Florida producers planted an estimated 70,000 acres, a 15 percent increase over 2025. Nationwide, U.S. cotton plantings are estimated at 9.85 million acres, up 6 percent from a year ago.
The full USDA Acreage Report, along with state-by-state statistics, is available at nass.usda.gov.