Cotton Acreage Sinks 15%

WASHINGTON - Jun 30/08 - SNS -- The U.S. 2008 all cotton planted area is estimated at 9.25 million acres, down 15% from last year, according to the USDA's seeded area estimates. Upland cotton planted area totals 9.04 million acres, down 14% from 2007 and the lowest acreage since 1983.

Upland growers in the Southeastern States (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia) planted 1.87 million acres, down 17% 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.

In the Delta States (Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee), producers planted 1.96 million acres, down 29% from last year. Mississippi growers planted 370,000 acres, down 44% from last year and the lowest since records began. In Louisiana, producers planted 290,000 acres, the lowest planted acreage on record. Tennessee producers planted 300,000 acres, the lowest since 1983. The unseasonably cool, wet spring slowed planting progress throughout the Delta. Planting was complete by the middle of June, behind last year and the 5-year average. The later planted crop was developing slightly behind normal throughout the region.

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