American Cotton Output Sinks

WASHINGTON - Aug 10/07 - SNS -- All cotton production in the United States is forecast at 17.3 million 480-pound bales this year, down 20% from last year's 21.6 million bales, according to the USDA's latest crop production estimates.

Yield is expected to average 783 pounds per harvested acre, down 31 pounds from 2006. Producers expect to harvest 10.6 million acres of all cotton and 10.3 million acres of upland cotton, down 16% and 17%, respectively.

Upland cotton production is forecast at 16.5 million 480-pound bales, 21% below 2006. Growers planted 10.8 million acres, unchanged from the June estimate but down 28% from a year ago. Growers expect to harvest 10.3 million acres, down 17% from last year.

American-Pima cotton producers planted 298,000 acres, unchanged from June but down 28,000 acres from last year. Expected harvested area, at 293,000 acres, is down 9% from last year.

American-Pima production is forecast at a record high 808,500 bales, up 6% from last year. The U.S. yield is forecast at 1,325 pounds per harvested acre. California growers expect to harvest a record high production of 750,000 bales, up 9% from last year. The crop is progressing normally throughout Arizona and California with excellent cotton growing weather. The crop is reported in fair to good condition.

Cotton ginning was just getting underway in South Texas with a limited amount ginned by August 1. In 2005 and 2006, the running bales ginned, as of August 1, were 68,700 and 23,250, respectively.

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