United States to plant 13.63 million acres of cotton in 2012
A survey by National Cotton Council (NCC) released February 11, 2012 projects a decline of 7.5 percent in upland cotton acreage compared to 2011, amounting to 13.34 million acres in 2012. Extra-long staple (ELS) acreage is expected to decline by 6.4 percent from the 2011 level. The intended ELS acreage will be 287,000. According to Gary Adams, vice president of NCC, the expected decline in cotton area is consistent with the market trend, which has weakened since last year.
Texas, the largest cotton producing state in the United States, is expecting an acreage decline of 5.1 percent, down from the 2011 figures.
Based on the average yield assumptions, the total crop is expected to be 18.3 million bales (480 pounds each). NCC’s survey indicates the expected harvested area is 10.88 million acres.
