Overall, it was a positive week for the U.S. cotton crop, based on the cotton numbers in USDA’s July 19 Crop Progress report.

Cotton maturity continues to close the gap on its 5-year averages. Squaring is now reported in 69% of the overall crop – up 14% from a week ago and only 4% shy of the 5-year average for this date. Six states – Arizona, California, Georgia, Kansas, Missouri, and South Carolina – remain ahead of their respective averages, with the biggest one-week jump coming from Virginia (up 30%).

Boll set climbs 7% and now sits at 16% nationally – still 7% behind the overall 5-year average. Five states – Arizona, California, Kansas, Missouri, and South Carolina – are now ahead of average, with the biggest percentage increases coming from Louisiana (up 27%), Mississippi (up 21%), and Arkansas (up 20%).

Crop condition numbers showed a continued shift higher, with 60% of the U.S. crop now rated good/excellent and 31% fair. Poor/very poor ratings held steady at 9%.