Arizona processed more cotton last year than in 2015. But, the state is still near a production low.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s annual report said Arizona’s 2016 cotton ginnings crop -- the cotton separated from seed that’s then used in production -- was 29 percent more than in 2015. Production includes both Pima and upland cotton.   

State statistician Dave DeWalt said 2016’s growth is somewhat misleading since 2015’s output was so low:

“We had a record low acreage and production just last year," DeWalt said. "And it’s been gradually going down since 2011.”

DeWalt said Arizona is not a major player in cotton production. He said some years do produce high output for the state, but that output goes in cycles.