US cotton planting advances to 41%, concerns persist in Texas

US cotton planting progressed broadly on schedule in mid-May, supported by mostly favourable weather across major growing regions and improving field conditions in several states. The latest USDA Crop Progress report showed that 41 per cent of the US cotton crop had been planted as of May 17, 2026, up sharply from 29 per cent a week earlier and slightly above the five-year average of 40 per cent. The pace was also ahead of 38 per cent recorded during the same period last year. The steady planting progress added mild bearish pressure to ICE cotton futures, as traders assessed reduced immediate crop-risk concerns.

According to the latest report, among major cotton-producing states, Arizona and California were far ahead, with planting at 90 per cent each. Arkansas reached 66 per cent, Louisiana 62 per cent, Mississippi 58 per cent, and Tennessee 73 per cent. Alabama also moved ahead to 54 per cent. In the Southeast, Georgia stood at 38 per cent, North Carolina at 39 per cent, and South Carolina at 40 per cent.

US cotton planting remained broadly on schedule in mid-May, reaching 41 per cent completion by May 17, 2026, ahead of last year and slightly above the five-year average.
Favourable weather and field conditions supported progress across major producing regions, easing immediate crop concerns, although dryness in parts of West Texas and the Southwest continued to pose localised risks.

Texas, the largest US cotton-producing state, remained at 34 per cent planted, unchanged from the five-year average but higher than 27 per cent, a week earlier. Oklahoma was slower at 29 per cent, while Kansas reached 45 per cent. The mixed pace across the Southwest kept some regional uncertainty intact, even as the national planting rate remained broadly on track.

Weather across the Delta and Southeast cotton belt remained supportive for planting and early crop emergence. Vaisala Weather analysis indicated favourable soil moisture in these regions, helping crop establishment. However, portions of West Texas and the broader Southwest continued to experience dry soil conditions despite expected rainfall, leaving some localised crop stress risk in focus.

Fieldwork conditions were generally favourable across several cotton states. The USDA report showed Texas had 6.5 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ended May 17, while Georgia had 6.2 days, Mississippi 6.2 days, Alabama 5.3 days, North Carolina 4.0 days, and South Carolina 5.1 days.

Soil moisture conditions across the wider US remained mixed. Nationally, topsoil moisture across 48 states was rated 16 per cent very short, 26 per cent short, 50 per cent adequate, and 8 per cent surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 17 per cent very short, 27 per cent short, 51 per cent adequate, and 5 per cent surplus. These readings suggest that while moisture availability is adequate in many regions, dryness remains a concern in parts of the cotton belt.

The USDA said its crop progress and condition estimates are based on weekly survey data collected from early April, through the end of November, using inputs from around 3,600 respondents who provide visual observations of crop stages, field activity, and crop conditions.

Overall, the latest data point to a US cotton crop that is developing close to its normal seasonal pace. Favourable weather and steady planting progress have reduced immediate upside risk from crop concerns, though dryness in West Texas and the Southwest remains an important factor for cotton traders to monitor in the coming weeks.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KUL)