Following the success of this “Indonesia-Bangladesh Mission”, the Brazilian Cotton Growers Association(Abrapa) is now preparing for the other forthcoming international activities. Another 12 international trade events are on the agenda aimed at promoting Brazilian cotton around the world.  

Bringing Brazilian cotton farmers and importers from the global textile industry closer together is one of the main focusses for Cotton Brazil, a brand that represents the Brazilian cotton production chain on a global scale. Between February 26th to March 1st, a Brazilian delegation was in Indonesia and Bangladesh to strengthen trade ties.  

This is an Abrapa program in a joint partnership with the National Cotton Shippers Association (Anea) and the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex Brasil). The result was highly encouraging according to Mr. Miguel Faus, president of Anea.  

Reception in Bangladesh

“The mission was very successful. In Indonesia, our event combined a debate on important technical points with the informal nature that characterizes both countries. In Bangladesh, we held a range of meetings with important government bodies, such as the Bengali Ministry of Commerce”, added Mr. Faus. 

In addition to technical and business meetings, the Indonesia-Bangladesh Mission also included holding the “Cotton Brazil Outlook” seminar in Jakarta and Dhaka, the capital cities of both countries. In Dhaka, the seminar was attended by the Brazilian ambassador to Bangladesh, Mr. Paulo Dias Feres. “In both seminars, our initial guest target was exceeded and the participants were highly qualified, bringing together important decision makers”, commented Anea’s president. 

As the world’s seventh-largest importer of cotton, Indonesia saw a 35% drop in the total volume of imported cotton in the 2022/23 market year. “Despite the drop last year, Indonesia is expected to grow its imports again by 20% in the 2023/24 marketing period. Brazil has cotton in volume and of high quality to offer to Indonesia”, explained Marcelo Duarte Monteiro, director of International Relations at Abrapa.  

Mr. Marcelo Duarte,

In Bangladesh, the world’s largest importer of cotton in 2022/23, the challenge was to open new markets and make Brazilian cotton even more well known, since the Bengali textile industry is seeing high growth and, currently, Brazil accounts for 16% of all their cotton imports.  

“In addition to the long history of trade with India, Bangladesh has invested a lot in synthetic textiles, which is something that we have to be aware of. This is why, during the mission, we reinforced that we can meet the Bengali demand in both quantity and quality,” Abrapa’s director remarked.  

Since 2019, Brazil has retained its position as the second largest cotton exporter in the world. For the 2023/24 market year, it is forecasted that 2.34 million tonnes will be exported.  

Cotton Brazil’s international mission schedule for 2024 also includes the European Market, Thailand, China, Turkey, Egypt, Vietnam, India, Taiwan, Japan and the United States. In the months of July and August, the direction is reversed and Brazilian cotton farmers open their properties to welcome mill owners and importers during an event known as the “Buyers Mission”.