USDA Expects 11% More Cotton

WASHINGTON - Aug 12/04 - SNS -- All cotton production in the United States is forecast at 20.2 million 480-pound bales, up 11% from last year's 18.3 million bales, according to the latest USDA crop production report.

Upland cotton production is forecast at 19.5 million 480-pound bales, 9% above 2003. American-Pima production is forecast at 703,000 bales, up 63% from last year's output.

Upland cotton growers planted 13.6 million acres, down 78,000 from the June estimate, but up 2% from a year ago. Growers expect to harvest 13.1 million acres, 10% more than the previous year. American-Pima cotton producers planted 252,000 acres, up 73,400 acres from last year. Expected harvested area, at 250,000 acres, is up 41% from last year

Producers expect to harvest 13.3 million acres of all cotton, 11% above last year. Upland cotton harvested area, at 13.1 million acres, is 1.24 million acres more than a year ago. American-Pima harvested area is expected to total 250,000 acres, 41% more than 2003. Arizona and Texas increased American-Pima planted area by 1,000 and 4,000 acres, respectively, resulting in a total U.S. American-Pima planted estimate of 252,000 acres.

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