USDA December Production Report

In its December crop report, USDA estimated a 2018-19 U.S. crop of 18.59 million bales. Upland production was estimated at 17.82 million bales and extra-long staple (ELS) production at 771,000 bales.

Harvested area was an estimated 10.37 million acres, implying a non-harvested area of about 3.67 million acres. The resulting abandonment rate is about 26.12%. The national average yield per harvested acre was estimated to be about 860 pounds, 15 pounds more than the five-year average.