Cotton Planting Season Begins Under Economic Strain
As cotton planting season ramps up across the Cotton Belt, growers are heading into another year of financial pressure and cautious decision making.
Jody Campiche, Vice President of Economics and Policy Analysis with the National Cotton Council, says new survey data shows producers are planning to cut back slightly in 2026.
She explains, "Based on the survey that we did throughout the month of January, U.S. growers said they're growing to plant nine million acres of cotton and that's down about 3.2% from last year. This will be the fourth year in a row where costs are projected to exceed market revenue and, while the enhanced farm safety net will provide higher support, more assistance will be needed to cover all of the losses."
Campiche says that continued gap between costs and returns is forcing growers to be more conservative as they head into planting.
With tighter margins and uncertain markets, 2026 is shaping up to be another challenging year for U.S. cotton producers. Campiche adds there is some cautious optimism, with a slight increase in global cotton consumption expected.
