By Keona Ellis
Communications Intern

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a new initiative aimed at strengthening the U.S. cotton industry as growers continue to face economic challenges.

The Great American Cotton Plan, unveiled May 28 by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, is designed to boost domestic cotton consumption, expand trade opportunities, increase demand for American-grown cotton and provide additional support for cotton producers.

The announcement comes as cotton farmers face a fifth consecutive year of negative returns due to rising production costs, market uncertainty, trade distortions and increasing competition from synthetic fibers. USDA estimates cotton producers could lose approximately $2.6 billion across 9 million planted acres during the upcoming crop year.

“Since 1607, cotton has helped build and sustain rural America,” Rollins said. “Our farmers grow some of the highest-quality cotton in the world, but over the last several years, America’s cotton growers have been crushed by rising costs, unfair foreign competition and a flood of cheap synthetic products.”

USDA noted the U.S. cotton industry supports more than 125,000 jobs, is grown on roughly 12 million acres and contributes more than $21 billion annually to the economy.

But the industry has experienced significant declines in infrastructure and market share. Since 1980, the number of U.S. cotton gins has fallen from 2,254 to 446, and Brazil surpassed the United States as the world’s largest cotton exporter in 2023.

The plan focuses on four key areas: promoting domestic cotton consumption, increasing demand and production, improving cotton trade opportunities and reducing production risks for growers.

The initiative supports the “Plant Not Plastic” campaign, which encourages consumers to choose products made with natural cotton fibers instead of synthetic materials. Nearly 70% of textile fibers used worldwide are synthetic, plastic-based products, according to USDA.

The plan also supports the bipartisan Buying American Cotton Act, legislation intended to increase domestic demand for U.S. cotton, encourage investment in textile manufacturing and create jobs within the industry.

Texas, the nation’s leading cotton-producing state, stands to be significantly impacted by the initiative. Cotton remains the state’s top crop and contributes more than $5 billion annually to the Texas economy.

The plan, which Texas Farm Bureau supports, aims to address many of the challenges that have weighed on the industry in recent years.

“Texas Farm Bureau appreciates USDA’s work through the Great American Cotton Plan to strengthen the future of our cotton industry,” Texas Farm Bureau President Russell Boening said. “Cotton is the number one crop in Texas and plays a vital role in supporting farm families, rural communities and our state’s economy.”

Click here to learn more about the Great American Cotton Plan.