Cotton Brazil Outlook event promotes the partnership between Brazilian cotton growers and customers in Pakistan

The potential to expand Brazilian cotton sales in Pakistan led the Brazilian Cotton Growers Association (Abrapa), the National Cotton Shippers Association (Anea) and the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex Brasil) to hold a trade mission between October 16th to 18th. As the fourth largest importer of Brazilian cotton, Pakistan had a consumption of 188,000 tonnes in the 2022/23 crop season and over the last ten years it has increased its purchases of Brazilian cotton by 220%. 

Over three days, the Brazilian delegation – which included Brazilian growers and shippers – visited mills and held meetings with representatives of sectoral entities and the Pakistani government. The Pakistan Mission is part of the Cotton Brazil program, a brand that represents the Brazilian cotton production chain abroad. 

“Pakistan has become increasingly important to us, especially as it is investing heavily in modernizing its industrial capacity to increase the supply of high-quality products,” noted Alexandre Schenkel, Abrapa’s president. 

The partnership between Pakistan and Brazil was furthered in July during the Buyers Mission, which is a trade exchange program whereby buyers of Brazilian cotton get to see the Brazilian cotton production system on-site. 

“I was part of the Buyers Mission and was very impressed with the professionalism with which Brazilian cotton is produced. They have high quality, traceability, and sustainability. Going to Brazil has changed my view of the product for the better,” said Omair Allawala, a Karachi textile executive and one of the attendees at the event in Pakistan. 

With the aim of reinforcing the quality of Brazilian cotton and to show how the production chain is organized in Brazil, the president of Abrapa told the Pakistanis that Brazil is a reliable supplier. “We will have the necessary volume of cotton to supply you in the coming years and we are a strategic and responsible supplier,” said Mr. Schenkel. 

This important message is based on data and crop projections that were presented during two editions of the “Cotton Brazil Outlook” event in which Abrapa shows the latest information and estimates for foreign trade. The event was held in the cities of Karachi and Lahore, with a turnout of more than 200 guests. There was also a meeting with representatives of the All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) – the country’s main sectoral entity – and members of the Pakistani government, as well as mill visits and meetings with the country’s main buyers. 

One of the highlights of the Pakistan Mission was the Brazilian cotton traceability program which covers 100% of all the bales produced. In addition to explaining how to access real-time information online about Brazilian cotton production, Abrapa talked about the SouABR program, which follows the entire cotton journey from production on the farms until the arrival of the garment in the customer’s closet which is all accessible using a QR Code. 

The chairman of Embrapa and special secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAPA), Mr. Carlos Augustin, gave his assessment of the visit to the Pakistani textile industry saying it was very fruitful. “The Pakistanis already know Brazilian cotton, and its high quality and are interested in doing more business. Here, we are showing Brazilian products to the world, especially cotton, together with the high level of quality in Brazil’s farming,” he said. 

Cotton Brazil. The Brazilian mission in Pakistan is one of the promotional activities carried out by Cotton Brazil, a brand that represents the Brazilian cotton production chain on a global scale. The strategy consists of providing qualified communication, and exchange opportunities for those who produce and those who buy Brazilian cotton, together with technical and trade events.