T cotton Sector at a Glance

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TOPIC:Cotton cultivation in the usa: 
infinitives

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T 
 
 
 
Cotton Sector at a Glance 
The United States plays a vital role in the global cotton market, acting as a key producer and exporter 
of the fiber. In marketing year (MY) 2019
—August 2019-July 2020—the United States produced nearly 
20 million bales of cotton, representing about $7 billion in total (lint plus seed) value. Furthermore, the 
United States is the world's leading cotton exporter, providing approximately 35 percent of global 
cotton exports in recent years. Through its participation in global trade, the United States supports 
global textile industries and provides opportunities for domestic farmers to market their cotton to the 
world. 
Cotton is a versatile commodity used in many products, particularly clothing. One bale of cotton
—
approximately 480 pounds of cleaned cotton lint
—can make more than 200 pairs of jeans or 1,200 t-
shirts. In the United States and around the world, there are two main species of cotton cultivated for 
commercial use: upland cotton and Pima (extra-long staple) cotton. Upland cotton comprises the vast 
majority of production. The primary difference between species is fiber length, with other small 
differences in growing conditions and end uses. 

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Table 1: Upland v. Pima Cotton Characteristics 
Cotton species 
Fiber 
length 
Percentage of 
U.S. 
production 
End uses 
Growing 
conditions 
Upland 
(Gossypium 
hirsutum) 
1" to 1 
1/4" 
97% 
Apparel, home use 
(curtains, upholstery, etc.), 
hospital/medical use 
Warm/hot 
conditions, dry 
falls, later planting 
Pima 
(Gossypium 
barbadense) 
1 3/8" 
or 
longer 
3% 
Expensive/high end 
apparel, sewing thread 
Hot, dry 
conditions, earlier 
planting