News

Cotton acres projected to decline this year

The National Cotton Council’s planting intentions survey for the 2021 crop year shows a decline in cotton acres despite rising cotton prices.

Jody Campiche is vice-president of economics and policy.  “Compared to 2020, acreage is expected to be down 5.2 percent,” she says.  “We’re seeing decreases in all regions with 4.2 percent less in the Southeast, 3.7 percent less in the Mid-South, 5.5 percent lower in the Southwest, and 2.5 percent lower in the west.”

She tells Brownfield the industry expected more of a decline in cotton acres in the Mid-South.  “The Mid-South really responds to relative prices of competing commodities,” she says.  “We do expect more corn and soybean acres in the region, but when we look at recent years their cotton acreage was kind of already down.  That’s part of the reason we’re not seeing a bigger drop in that area.”

And, Campiche says higher prices for sorghum are also increasing the competition for acres in Texas.

AUDIO: Jody Campiche, National Cotton Council