North Carolina Cotton Price — USDA NASS Monthly & MYA Data
North Carolina Cotton price reached $0.65/lb in March 2026 — about $0.03/lb above the US average of $0.62/lb. Monthly price received by producers, sourced directly from USDA NASS.
Cotton monthly price trend
North Carolina vs the US average, last 24 months of USDA NASS data
| Month | North Carolina price | US average |
|---|---|---|
| 2020-01 | $0.64/lb | $0.60/lb |
| 2020-02 | $0.64/lb | $0.61/lb |
| 2020-03 | $0.58/lb | $0.58/lb |
| 2020-05 | $0.54/lb | $0.55/lb |
| 2020-06 | $0.57/lb | $0.57/lb |
| 2020-07 | $0.61/lb | $0.60/lb |
| 2020-11 | $0.65/lb | $0.63/lb |
| 2020-12 | $0.67/lb | $0.66/lb |
| 2021-02 | $0.72/lb | $0.73/lb |
| 2021-10 | $0.90/lb | $0.84/lb |
| 2021-12 | $0.93/lb | $0.88/lb |
| 2022-01 | $1.00/lb | $0.96/lb |
| 2022-06 | $0.96/lb | $0.98/lb |
| 2022-11 | $0.96/lb | $0.80/lb |
| 2022-12 | $0.87/lb | $0.85/lb |
| 2023-02 | $0.92/lb | $0.80/lb |
| 2023-03 | $0.96/lb | $0.83/lb |
| 2023-04 | $0.88/lb | $0.86/lb |
| 2023-05 | $0.91/lb | $0.86/lb |
| 2023-06 | $0.94/lb | $0.91/lb |
| 2023-07 | $0.99/lb | $0.96/lb |
| 2023-08 | $0.83/lb | $0.76/lb |
| 2023-11 | $0.79/lb | $0.68/lb |
| 2023-12 | $0.79/lb | $0.74/lb |
| 2024-01 | $0.82/lb | $0.77/lb |
| 2024-02 | $0.82/lb | $0.78/lb |
| 2024-07 | $0.87/lb | $0.87/lb |
| 2024-11 | $0.64/lb | $0.66/lb |
| 2024-12 | $0.64/lb | $0.63/lb |
| 2025-01 | $0.63/lb | $0.62/lb |
| 2025-02 | $0.64/lb | $0.63/lb |
| 2025-03 | $0.64/lb | $0.62/lb |
| 2025-05 | $0.66/lb | $0.64/lb |
| 2025-06 | $0.64/lb | $0.62/lb |
| 2025-10 | $0.62/lb | $0.68/lb |
| 2025-11 | $0.61/lb | $0.60/lb |
| 2025-12 | $0.62/lb | $0.58/lb |
| 2026-01 | $0.57/lb | $0.61/lb |
| 2026-02 | $0.61/lb | $0.60/lb |
| 2026-03 | $0.65/lb | $0.62/lb |
How North Carolina compares
Top Cotton-producing states, March 2026 price
| State | Price | vs US avg |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia | $0.66/lb | +6.5% |
| North Carolina | $0.647/lb | +4.4% |
| Louisiana | $0.626/lb | +1% |
| Tennessee | $0.615/lb | -0.8% |
| Texas | $0.596/lb | -3.9% |
What this price means for North Carolina Cotton farmers
North Carolina cotton averaged 0.629 dollars per pound in March 2026, sitting about one cent above the national average of 0.618 dollars per pound. That modest premium over the US figure is largely a reflection of state-level basis factors — regional transportation costs, ginning infrastructure, and local elevator competition — rather than any inherent difference in fiber quality. Looking further back, the current marketing-year-average price of 0.607 dollars per pound trails last year's finalized MYA of 0.642 dollars per pound by four cents, a year-over-year decline that signals softer market conditions heading into the next planning cycle. Growers should treat that gap as a meaningful shift in the revenue environment, not a temporary blip.
When it comes to marketing and selling decisions, a strong single-month print like March's 0.629 dollars per pound can create the temptation to lock in a forward contract based on that figure alone, but monthly prices carry enough volatility to make that a risky anchor. The recent six-month sequence — ranging from 0.604 in February to 0.629 in March — illustrates how quickly spot readings can swing within a narrow band, making any one month an unreliable stand-in for the full season. The marketing-year-average is the more appropriate benchmark for annual revenue planning because it smooths out those month-to-month fluctuations and reflects what growers actually receive across the entire marketing window. Forward contracts are best evaluated against expected MYA trajectory rather than a single favorable monthly price, ensuring that budget assumptions hold up even if later months come in below the current reading.
Revenue calculator
Estimate gross revenue for your North Carolina Cotton farm at the current price
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Frequently asked questions — North Carolina Cotton price
Why is the North Carolina cotton price of $0.629/lb higher than the US average of $0.618/lb in March 2026?
North Carolina cotton trades at a $0.011/lb premium over the national average, a difference known as the state basis, which reflects local supply and demand conditions, proximity to Southeast textile mills, and regional gin capacity. Farmers and agronomists can use this positive basis as a signal that North Carolina cotton is currently commanding stronger buyer interest relative to the national market, which may favor holding or forward contracting local production.
What is the difference between North Carolina's March 2026 monthly cotton price of $0.629/lb and the marketing-year-average price of $0.607/lb?
The monthly price of $0.629/lb represents what North Carolina producers received specifically during March 2026, while the marketing-year-average (MYA) price of $0.607/lb reflects the weighted average across all months of the full cotton marketing year, which runs August through July. The MYA is the benchmark used for USDA farm program calculations, including Price Loss Coverage (PLC) reference price comparisons, making it the more relevant figure for evaluating crop insurance and safety net decisions rather than a single month's price.
How frequently does USDA update North Carolina cotton price data, and when should I expect the next release?
USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) publishes state-level crop prices monthly through the Agricultural Prices report, typically released on the last business day of the following month. This means the March 2026 North Carolina cotton price of $0.629/lb would have become available in late April 2026, and producers should monitor each monthly release to track price trends and refine their marketing strategy throughout the season.
How can I use North Carolina's cotton price data alongside yield estimates to project farm revenue per acre?
To estimate revenue per acre, multiply your expected or actual lint yield in pounds per acre by the relevant price—for example, a yield of 900 lbs/acre at the March 2026 price of $0.629/lb projects gross lint revenue of approximately $566/acre, while using the MYA price of $0.607/lb gives a more conservative estimate of $546/acre. Using the MYA price for annual planning provides a fuller-season perspective, whereas the monthly price is better suited for evaluating short-term cash sale or forward contract decisions relative to current market conditions.