Brazilian cotton is already being perceived in the international market with the same quality level as its main competitors (United States and Australia). That is what the participants of the International Cotton Association (ICA) annual event showed during the three-day congress held in Las Vegas (USA) this week.  

A delegation of 12 farmers from several Brazilian states participated in the panel “Regional Forum: Brazil” on Tuesday (11/08), coordinated by the Brazilian Cotton Growers Association (Abrapa).   

“For the first time in the history of the event, Brazil had the opportunity to showcase everything we have accomplished and furthered in the last decades, both in terms of production – we became the fourth largest cotton grower and the second largest world exporter – and in terms of quality”, said Júlio Busato, Abrapa’s president.  

 Quality and responsibility: the mission of Brazilian cotton 

Busato stressed the effort by farmers and their associations to produce with assured quality, certified by Abrapa’s SBR-HVI system, and also with traceability, through Abrapa’s Identification System (SAI). “The SAI has existed for 19 years now and is, without a doubt, a unique traceability program in the world, which can identify where and by whom each cotton bale was produced and ginned,” Busato explained.  

In addition, Brazilian cotton growers presented the Responsible Brazilian Cotton (ABR) program, which encompasses the three pillars of sustainability: economic, social, and environmental.  

Abrapa’s International Relations Director, Marcelo Duarte, pointed out that sustainability and traceability are becoming increasingly important in the global scenario. 

“Cotton is the preferred fiber by consumers when it comes to sustainability, comfort, and quality. However, the competition with artificial fibers is fierce. Our focus is to increase our market share”, says Duarte.