M. Shahbandeh
Research expert covering agriculture & FMCG
Cotton in the United States - statistics & facts
The U.S. cotton industry accounts for more than 21 billion U.S. dollars in products and services annually, generating more than 125,000 jobs in the industry sectors from farm to textile mill. The cotton yield per harvested acre was at 947 pounds per acre in 2022, as there were over 13.5 million acres of planted cotton that year. Of the planted cotton acreage in the United States, about eight million acres were harvested in 2021/22.
Leading producing states
U.S. cotton is mostly grown and harvested in the Southern states, also known as the "Cotton Belt". The federal state of Texas, the nation's top cotton-producing state, accounted for the majority of the country's total cotton production, followed by Georgia and Arkansas. More than 1.3 billion U.S. dollars' worth of cotton was produced in Texas in 2022. U.S. farmers typically receive an average price of 85 cents per pound that year, making it the second highest price since 2007.Cottonseed
Cottonseed, the most valuable by-product of cotton processing, had a production volume of about 4.5 million tons within the United States, with a production value of over 1.5 billion U.S. dollars that year. The small, leftover cotton fibers attached to the seed are removed and used to make products like rayon, plastics, explosives, and lacquers. Cottonseed itself can be used as a protein source to feed cow. Cottonseed oil can also be used in cooking; however, consumption rates in the U.S. have been steadily declining.International trade
The United States exported about 12.8 million bales of cotton in 2022. The United States is the world's largest exporter in cotton, followed by Brazil and Australia. The U.S. is also the top exporter of cottonseed oil worldwide, exporting about 30 thousand metric tons in 2022/23.
