2026 USDA Acreage Update

On June 30, USDA released its annual Acreage report. This is an important market report because it provides the first survey-based estimate of actual planted acres, in contrast to the March Prospective Plantings report, which is based on producer planting intentions. Estimates from the report are presented in the Table below.

Nationally, USDA estimated 2026 corn acreage at 95.34 million acres, which was practically unchanged from the March report. Some analysts expected corn acres to decrease given the increase in fertilizer costs and soybeans’ price competitiveness. Corn acres are down 3% from last year but would still represent the fourth-highest planted acreage in the United States.

Soybean acreage was estimated at 85.4 million acres, up from the March report and 5% higher than last year. Cotton acreage was estimated at 9.85 million acres, up 6% from last year and 210,000 acres above the March report. Finally, long-grain rice acreage was estimated at 1.4 million acres. Arkansas long-grain rice acreage is expected to decrease by 38%, which would be the lowest level since 1977. Texas planted rice acreage is expected to be the lowest since data collection began in 1929.

In Mississippi, USDA estimated 2026 corn planted acreage at 780,000 acres, up 150,000 acres from the March intentions report but still below the 910,000 acres planted in 2025. Cotton acreage was also revised higher, with Mississippi cotton acres estimated at 430,000 acres. This is up 130,000 acres from the March report and 100,000 acres above last year. Stronger cotton prices likely encouraged Mississippi producers to increase cotton acreage relative to their March planting intentions.

Soybean acreage in Mississippi was estimated at 2.0 million acres, down 300,000 acres from the March intentions report but still above the 1.81 million acres planted in 2025. Soybeans remain the largest row crop by acreage in the state. Rice acreage saw the largest relative decline, with USDA estimating Mississippi long-grain rice acreage at 45,000 acres, the lowest level since 1961. This is down from 80,000 acres in the March report and well below the 160,000 acres planted last year.

The next major report will be the July WASDE, scheduled for release on July 10. USDA will update crop balance sheets to reflect the new acreage data from the June Acreage report. With the market now having updated acreage estimates, attention will shift back to summer weather and its potential impact on crop development and yield expectations.