Cotton production in the United States fluctuates significantly from year to year. In 2024, around ***** million bales of cotton were produced in the United States, an increase from about **** million bales in the previous year. Leading States for cotton production Historically, much of the cotton in the United States has been grown in the Southern states, and this trend continues to this day. Texas had a cotton production volume of about *** million bales in 2023, making that state the top producer of cotton in the United States. Texas produced significantly more than the second leading producer of cotton, Georgia. In that year, Georgia produced around **** million bales of cotton. Genetically modified cotton Compared to other crops like genetically modified corn and soybeans, the acreage of genetically modified cotton is relatively low in the United States. However, between 2015 and 2019 the area planted with GM cotton in the U.S. has been slowly increasing. One of the most common types of genetically modified cotton is herbicide resistant cotton, which can survive being sprayed with herbicides while surrounding weeds are destroyed

This statistic shows the leading ten U.S. states with the highest cotton production in 2024. In that year, Texas was estimated to produce about *** million bales of cotton. The United States in total were ranked as third leading cotton producing country worldwide in 2023/2024. Cotton production The production of cotton is one of the United States’ most important industries. The country was the world’s third largest cotton producer after China and India, as well as the leading global cotton exporter in 2022/2023. In terms of cotton production by state, U.S. cotton is mostly grown and harvested in the Southern states, also known as the “Cotton Belt” where cotton plantations were established in the 1800s. More than *** billion U.S. dollars’ worth of cotton was produced in Texas in 2022. Upland cotton is the nation’s most commonly cultivated variety of cotton. American Pima, a finer and more expensive cotton fiber, is mainly cultivated in Arizona and California. In 2023, the United States allocated some ***** million acres of land for planting cotton. Approximately ***** million bales of cotton were produced that year.Cotton is typically used in the production of textiles. Hence Bangladesh, a leader in textile manufacturing, was the largest cotton importer in 2022/2023.

Annual cotton production in the United States grew from just a few thousand tons at the turn of the 19th century, to fluctuating between 1.6 million and 4.3 million tons throughout most of the 20th century. The amount of space used to produce cotton also grew from three to almost 18 million hectares of land between 1866 and the 1920s, before dropping to around four or five million hectares between the 1960s and 1980s. Despite this drop in land usage, advancements in agricultural technology meant that output remained relatively constant in the 20th century, meaning that output per hectare actually increased significantly.

The mechanical cotton gin's invention in 1793 revolutionized the U.S. cotton industry, which grew exponentially in the early 19th century. Cotton was the U.S.' primary export in these years, and its production was driven by slave labor in the southern states (particularly South Carolina). For the first time, output exceeded one million tons in 1859, and again in 1861, however, the disruption of the American Civil War caused cotton output to drop by over 93 percent in the next three years, to just 68 thousand tons by 1864. Production resumed upon its previous trajectory following the war's end, and many of the former-slaves forced to work on cotton plantations continued to work in the cotton industry, but as sharecroppers who worked the land in exchange for a share of the harvest, as well as housing and facilities (this was similar to tenant farming, although sharecroppers received a smaller share of the crop and had fewer legal protections).

Employment statistics on the Cotton Farming industry in the US

The cotton industry has faced a revenue decline over the current period, driven by global oversupply and weakened demand, with fierce competition from major international producers. Cotton prices have remained low, pressuring industry revenue, which has dropped at a CAGR of 6.9% since 2020 to reach $5.8 billion after growing 7.6% in 2025. Globally, production has continued to expand, leading to record-high stocks, especially in major producing countries like the US, Brazil and China. This oversupply has resulted in volatile markets and intensified global competition, particularly from Brazil, which offers lower-cost cotton. Paired with an appreciated US dollar over the current period, this has posed a strong challenge to US exports and domestic market position. Input costs for cotton producers have remained elevated, despite many easing from their 2022 spike. Fertilizer prices have stayed high due to geopolitical tensions, tariffs and persistent supply chain disruptions. Seed costs continue to rise with ongoing advancements in seed genetics and supplier consolidation. Meanwhile, labor expenses are growing due to a scarcity of skilled workers and an increased dependence on costly immigrant labor solutions like the H-2A visa program. Current immigration restrictions have further limited the labor supply. These factors, combined with weak cotton prices, have significantly cut into industry profit, prompting many farmers to join cooperatives or consolidate to take advantage of economies of scale. Other producers are shifting some of their acreage to more profitable crops to sustain their operations. Despite continuing climate and price challenges, the industry faces a more optimistic outlook. Climate change poses significant risks with increased droughts and heatwaves threatening yields, necessitating investment in resilient cotton varieties. Sustainability and traceability demands are reshaping industry practices, offering avenues for premium markets despite the compliance costs. Over the next five years, cotton prices are set to remain subdued, while production continues to increase, though at a slower pace. Industry revenue is forecast to expand at a modest CAGR of 0.8%, reaching $6.0 billion in 2030.

United States Long Term Projections: Upland Cotton: Production data was reported at 16,000.000 Bale th in 2034. This records an increase from the previous number of 15,900.000 Bale th for 2033. United States Long Term Projections: Upland Cotton: Production data is updated yearly, averaging 15,500.000 Bale th from Dec 2022 (Median) to 2034, with 13 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 16,000.000 Bale th in 2034 and a record low of 11,750.000 Bale th in 2023. United States Long Term Projections: Upland Cotton: Production data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by U.S. Department of Agriculture. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.RI012: Agricultural Projections: Upland Cotton.

Graph and download economic data for Visible Supply of Cotton for United States (M0503CUSM596NNBR) from Jan 1889 to Aug 1903 about cotton, supplies, and USA.

United States Exports of cotton to Mexico was US$424.37 Million during 2024, according to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade. United States Exports of cotton to Mexico - data, historical chart and statistics - was last updated on October of 2025.

The United States Census Bureau has conducted surveys of manufacturing activity since 1810 with fluctuating frequency. Between 1919 and 1939 the Census of Manufactures (CM) was conducted biennially. This data collection consists of individual-plant data from the Census of Manufactures for 1929, 1931, 1933, and 1935, the only years in this span for which original returns are available. The records of the Cotton Goods Industry have been coded to produce an electronic dataset to provide the basis for microeconomic evidence for the study of the Great Depression. The dataset contains observations on: basic information about the plants (e.g. name, location, owner, etc.), products made and materials used, operation and working hours, employment, wages and salaries, costs and amount of materials used, value of products and processing tax (1933 and 1935), machinery, and power used.

Comprehensive dataset containing 10 verified Cotton locations in United States with complete contact information, ratings, reviews, and location data.

This EnviroAtlas dataset shows the number of major grains grown, yield in tons, and area in hectares for several major grains and for cotton by 12-digit Hydrologic Unit (HUC). It is based on the United States Department of Agriculture's 2010 Cropland Data Layer (CDL) and data on yields and sales from the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). The grains included in this dataset are corn, barley, cotton, durum wheat, oats, rye, rice, sorghum, spring wheat, soybeans, and winter wheat; it does not include data on every grain. This dataset was produced by the US EPA to support research and online mapping activities related to EnviroAtlas. EnviroAtlas (https://www.epa.gov/enviroatlas) allows the user to interact with a web-based, easy-to-use, mapping application to view and analyze multiple ecosystem services for the contiguous United States. The dataset is available as downloadable data (https://edg.epa.gov/data/Public/ORD/EnviroAtlas) or as an EnviroAtlas map service. Additional descriptive information about each attribute in this dataset can be found in its associated EnviroAtlas Fact Sheet (https://www.epa.gov/enviroatlas/enviroatlas-fact-sheets).

This statistic shows the total value of cotton production in the U.S. from 2000 to 2024. In 2024, the value of production stood at around 4.67 billion U.S. dollars. The United States were ranked as third leading cotton producing country worldwide in 2022/2023.

United States Long Term Projections: Upland Cotton: Supply data was reported at 20,300.000 Bale th in 2034. This records an increase from the previous number of 20,160.000 Bale th for 2033. United States Long Term Projections: Upland Cotton: Supply data is updated yearly, averaging 20,080.000 Bale th from Dec 2022 (Median) to 2034, with 13 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 20,300.000 Bale th in 2034 and a record low of 16,230.000 Bale th in 2023. United States Long Term Projections: Upland Cotton: Supply data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by U.S. Department of Agriculture. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.RI012: Agricultural Projections: Upland Cotton.

View yearly updates and historical trends for US Cotton Acres Planted. from United States. Source: US Department of Agriculture. Track economic data with …

Prospective Plantings Cotton in the United States decreased to 9.87 Million Acres in 2025 from 10.67 Million Acres in 2024. This dataset includes a chart with historical data for the United States Prospective Plantings - Cotton.

United States Exports of cotton was US$6.18 Billion during 2024, according to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade. United States Exports of cotton - data, historical chart and statistics - was last updated on October of 2025.

United States Long Term Projections: Upland Cotton: Total Use data was reported at 15,890.000 Bale th in 2034. This stayed constant from the previous number of 15,890.000 Bale th for 2033. United States Long Term Projections: Upland Cotton: Total Use data is updated yearly, averaging 15,590.000 Bale th from Dec 2022 (Median) to 2034, with 13 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 15,890.000 Bale th in 2034 and a record low of 12,890.000 Bale th in 2024. United States Long Term Projections: Upland Cotton: Total Use data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by U.S. Department of Agriculture. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.RI012: Agricultural Projections: Upland Cotton.

Graph and download economic data for Wholesale Price of Cotton Yarn, Mills for United States (M0400AUSM267NNBR) from Jan 1890 to May 1942 about cotton, mills, wholesale, price, and USA.

This statistic shows the total acres of cotton planted and harvested in the United States from 2001 to 2024. In 2024, around 11.18 and 8.3 million acres of cotton were planted and harvested, respectively. The planted and harvested area both increased in 2024 compared to the previous year.

United States Long Term Projections: Upland Cotton: Harvested Acres data was reported at 8,680.000 Acre mn in 2034. This stayed constant from the previous number of 8,680.000 Acre mn for 2033. United States Long Term Projections: Upland Cotton: Harvested Acres data is updated yearly, averaging 8,640.000 Acre mn from Dec 2022 (Median) to 2034, with 13 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 8,680.000 Acre mn in 2034 and a record low of 7.100 Acre mn in 2022. United States Long Term Projections: Upland Cotton: Harvested Acres data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by U.S. Department of Agriculture. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.RI012: Agricultural Projections: Upland Cotton.