USDA Boosts Cotton Crop Forecast

WASHINGTON - Sep 12/07 - SNS -- This year's cotton crop in the United States is now forecast at 17.8 million 480-pound bales, up 3% from last month but down 17% from last year's 21.6 million bales, according to the USDA.

Yield is expected to average 811 pounds per harvested acre, up 28 pounds from last month but down 3 pounds from 2006. Harvested area is expected to total 10.5 million acres of all cotton, down 1% from last month and down 17% from last year. Upland cotton production is forecast at 17.0 million 480-pound bales, up 3% from last month but down 18% from last year.

Compared with last month, lower upland production forecasts in the Delta and Southeast were offset by the 15% increase in Texas production to 7.00 million 480-pound bales. American-Pima production is forecast at 793,000 bales, down 2% from last month but up 4% from last year. American-Pima harvested area is expected to total 289,000 acres, down 1% from last month and down 11% from 2006.

Upland cotton harvested area, at 10.3 million acres, is down 1% from last month and down 17% from last year. Based on administrative data, planted area is revised to 10.6 million acres, down 2% from the June estimate and down 29% from last year. Area for harvest is expected to total 10.5 million acres, down 1% from last month and down 17% from 2006. Upland producers plan to harvest 10.3 million acres, down 1% from last month and down 17% from last year. American-Pima harvested area, at 289,000 acres, is down 4,000 acres from last month and down 11% from last year.

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