This USDA report provides the first survey-based estimates of cotton acreage that U.S. farmers intend to plant for the year. As the U.S. is a leading global exporter of cotton, these intentions are critical for forecasting global supply-demand balances. The data influences trading strategies for textile manufacturers, hedge funds, and agricultural producers worldwide.
Data is collected through a probability survey of farmers, focusing on their planting intentions as of early March.
| Date | Actual | Forecast | Surprise |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 28, 2024 | 10.67 | 10.91 | -0.23 |
| Mar 31, 2023 | 11.30 | 11.21 | +0.09 |
| Mar 31, 2022 | 12.23 | 12.01 | +0.23 |
| Mar 31, 2021 | 12.04 | 11.90 | +0.13 |
The latest reading is 1.2 standard deviations below the mean.
