Tennessee Cotton Price — USDA NASS Monthly & MYA Data

Tennessee cotton trades at a $0.016/lb discount to the national average, a difference commonly referred to as basis, which reflects regional factors such as local gin capacity, transportation costs to export terminals, and the quality mix of cotton produced in the state. Tennessee's inland location relative to Gulf and Atlantic export points typically adds logistical costs that compress the price growers receive compared to states closer to major ports. Monitoring this basis over time helps Tennessee producers set realistic price targets when forward contracting or evaluating hedge strategies.

The March 2026 price of $0.602/lb is a single-month estimate reflecting current market conditions, while the marketing-year-average (MYA) of $0.541/lb represents the weighted average price received by Tennessee cotton producers across all months of the full marketing year, weighted by the volume sold each month. The MYA is the figure used by USDA to calculate crop insurance indemnities under the Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage programs, making it the more critical number for farm program decisions. A monthly price well above the MYA suggests late-season prices are recovering, which may inform decisions about when to sell remaining unsold bales.

USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) publishes state-level cotton prices monthly through the Agricultural Prices report, typically released on the last business day of the following month, meaning March 2026 data would be published in late April 2026. Marketing-year-average prices are revised each month as additional monthly observations are incorporated and final sales volumes are reported, with a definitive MYA published after the marketing year closes. Producers should check the NASS release calendar to time their data reviews before making forward sales or program enrollment decisions.

Multiply your expected or actual lint yield in pounds per acre by the relevant price: for example, a yield of 900 lbs/lb per acre multiplied by $0.602/lb produces an estimated gross revenue of $541.80 per acre, before ginning costs and freight deductions. For program planning purposes, use the MYA price of $0.541/lb instead of the monthly price to project the revenue figure that will determine ARC-CO or PLC payment calculations. Comparing both estimates side by side allows you to assess whether current market prices justify locking in sales now versus waiting for potential price improvement later in the marketing year.