NASHVILLE, TENN. (RFD NEWS) — U.S. cotton growers plan to reduce spring plantings as competing crop prices and regional economics reshape acreage decisions.
The National Cotton Council’s annual survey shows producers intend to plant 9.0 million acres in 2026, down 3.2 percent from last year. Upland cotton accounts for 8.8 million acres, while extra-long staple cotton rises 14 percent to 161,000 acres. Based on normal abandonment and yields, the crop is projected at approximately 12.7 million bales.
Economists with the National Cotton Council say relative crop prices drove the shift. Cotton prices were roughly unchanged from last year’s survey period, but soybeans strengthened slightly while corn softened, encouraging rotations away from cotton in several regions.
Southeast growers expect cotton acreage to fall 4.9 percent, while Mid-South plantings are projected at 1.2 million acres — down 20.6 percent from last year. In contrast, Southwest acreage is expected to rise 1.6 percent, led by a 0.4 percent increase in Texas. Western upland cotton acreage is projected to decline 7.2 percent.
ELS cotton acreage, however, is forecast to increase with Arizona up 3.2 percent, California up 8.0 percent, and Texas expanding ELS plantings by 69.8 percent.
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