Acreage & Exports: A U.S. Cotton Update

The latest USDA Prospective Plantings report signals a significant drop in U.S. cotton acreage for 2025. The report estimates all cotton planted area at 9.87 million acres, marking a 12 percent decline from last year. Upland cotton is projected at 9.71 million acres, also down 12 percent, while American Pima acreage is expected to shrink even further—down 24 percent to just 157,000 acres.

With shifting acreage, attention also turns to global markets. Cotton Council International, the export promotion arm of the National Cotton Council, recently named its leadership for 2025. Carlo Bocardo, a cooperative official from Bakersfield, California, will serve as CCI’s president, guiding its outreach in over 50 countries under the COTTON USA™ brand. Meanwhile, Georgia has a direct connection to CCI’s leadership—Brooklet producer Lee Cromley will serve as CCI chairman. Their election took place during the NCC’s 2025 Annual Meeting in Dallas, Texas.

As the cotton industry faces planting shifts and export challenges, leadership at the Cotton Council will be key in promoting U.S. cotton globally and supporting producer