Under The Pressure Of Trade Disputes, Cotton Farmers In The United States Are Under Great Pressure: Prices Can No Longer Go To Other Ways.

Since China began levying tariffs on US agricultural products in the summer of 2018, US cotton exports to China have plummeted and domestic cotton prices have fallen by nearly 30%. The US cotton stocks are expected to reach the highest level in ten years.

According to the Wall Street journal website reported on July 22nd, in the Mississippi River Delta, a farmhouse surrounded by a luncheon, Aubrey barbecue shop, cotton farmers will inevitably turn to the latest global trade when they bump into it.

Remy Stiles, a 60 year old cotton grower living near Mariana, Li County, Arkansas, said: "if China decides to start buying some cotton, there will be changes."

Recently, he chatted with other cotton farmers on the hamburger and salad side at the country store and said they hoped to resolve the trade dispute with the world's largest cotton importer as soon as possible.

It is reported that the farmers will get a promise that the US government will provide a $16 billion package to protect them from trade disputes. However, cotton farmers do not know how much assistance they can get.

Cotton farmers say that as of mid July, many farmers should have sold half of the crops they harvested under normal circumstances, but have not sold any crops this year, because prices linger at less than 60 cents per pound, and in many cases are below production costs.

Jim Jones and his son Caleb planted 4500 acres of cotton in Pall. At the beginning of this year, the news of possible trade agreement between China and the United States temporarily raised cotton prices, and they bought two second-hand cotton balers with loans, each of which was 450 thousand dollars.

Speaking of the machines that have been bought, father Jones said, "this is a lot of money, right? It will be very difficult." He said he had not been able to sleep for weeks.

Reported that farmers say that if this year can not reach an agreement, many people will not survive. At the same time, farmers are saving money in all possible ways.

Harris Swayze, a cotton grower in the county of Mississippi, drove three hours last week to the Bennett tractor parts company in Aubrey, which was equipped with a second-hand water tank for the cotton machine.

Swayze said: "if you need accessories, and do not want to spend more money from dealers, you can buy them here."

Gary Bennett, the owner of the accessories company, said his business increased by about 20% compared to 2018. Speaking of local farmers, he said, "they are trying to save money."

Billy Don Hinckel, who planted 6000 acres of cotton with Aubrey, said that in order to save labour costs, he asked the workers to repair the cotton picking machines themselves instead of sending them to the Distribution Office for repairs. 8

Stiles planted peanuts for the first time this year and invested in a shelling factory in the city of John. Now his wish is: if cotton prices can not be fully recovered, he can make up for it through diversified planting.

Larry McClendon has a large cotton gin in Mariana, and he has planted 12000 acres of cotton. He said that 90% of the cotton he processed was planted by farmers who borrowed money every year.

He said that the current situation is particularly difficult for young peasant families. McLendon said: "opening your eyes and closing your eyes are all pressure. If it doesn't work, it will be over. "