Solid Advance in U.S. Cotton Area

WASHINGTON - Jun 30/10 - SNS -- Land in all classes of cotton grown in the United States is estimated at 10.9 million acres, 19% above last year, according to seeded area estimates released by the USDA today.

Upland planted area is estimated at 10.7 million acres, up 19% from 2009. Increased planted acres are expected in all States except Louisiana, where acres are unchanged from last year's record low. In Alabama, California, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee, planted acreage increased over 30% with California experiencing the largest percentage gain with a 76% increase. American-Pima cotton growers planted 209,000 acres, up 48% from 2009.

Upland growers in the Southeastern States (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia) planted 2.53 million acres, up 34% from last year. North Carolina and South Carolina acreage, at 570,000 acres and 175,000 acres, respectively, is an increase of 52% over last year. In Alabama, producers planted 370,000 acres, up 45% from last year. By mid-June, planting was virtually complete throughout the region. The crop is rated in mostly fair to good condition throughout the region except in Virginia where the crop is rated in mostly good to excellent condition.

In the Delta States (Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee), producers planted 1.88 million acres, up 16% from last year. Mississippi growers planted 420,000 acres, up 38% from last year. Tennessee producers planted 400,000 acres, up 33% from last year. Planting of upland cotton in the Delta States was virtually complete by the first of June. In Mississippi, the crop is rated in mostly good to excellent condition. Throughout the rest of the region, the crop is rated in mostly fair to good condition.

Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas upland acreage planted totals 5.99 million acres, up 13% from last year. Texas accounts for 5.70 million of this acreage, an increase of 14% from last year. Oklahoma producers planted 210,000 acres, up 2% from last year. Planting was complete in southern Texas by the middle of May. In the Texas Plains, planting progress was near completion by the middle of June.

Upland planted area in Arizona and California is estimated at 310,000 acres, up 44% from 2009. In California, producers planted 125,000 acres, up 76% from last year. Arizona producers planted 185,000 acres. Planting was complete in California by the end of May while Arizona producers finished by mid-June.

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