On World Cotton Day, Cotton Brazil participated in some of the most important industry events and presented figures about the current Brazilian crop.  

Several events took place on October 7, World Cotton Day, to foster the use of natural fiber around the globe. Abrapa (Brazilian Cotton Growers Association), through the Cotton Brazil initiative, participated in one exclusive session during the Congress of the International Cotton Association (ICA), held in Liverpool (UK). The association also took part in events in Bangladesh, India, and in a panel of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).  

Progress recognized around the world  

Brazil has expanded its production in recent years to meet domestic demand comfortably. The surplus is exported, with 99% of the 2.4 million tons shipped from July 2020 to August 2021 destined for the Asian market. This volume places the country as the second largest world exporter.   

“Brazilian cotton is in constant evolution. We have grown in volume, but mainly in quality, and today we offer an increasingly sustainable product”, said Abrapa’s president, Júlio Cézar Busato.   

In Brazil, 100% of the harvest is mechanical, which results in large-scale, uncontaminated cotton, a distinguishing characteristic in the eyes of foreign markets.  

Cotton sustainability is the focus of global attention  

Sustainability was a major highlight of the ICA forum. According to Abrapa’s president, 81% of the 2021 Brazilian crop was certified by the Responsible Brazilian Cotton (ABR) program, making it eligible for the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) global certification as well.   

“Our program began in 2012 and in less than ten years we have expanded the number of certified farms and bales more than fivefold,” said Busato.   

“Our cotton is grown in dryland, respecting strict environmental, labor, and land legislation and is 100% traceable, which gives buyers more stability and transparency”, said Pedro Valente, director of Amaggi Agro, a Brazilian firm. The executive emphasized that transparency in production is a growing demand in international markets. 

Brazilian harvest data   

The 20/21 Brazilian cotton crop is estimated at 2.32 million tons, of which 99% has already been harvested and 55% ginned. It is a lower volume than in the previous cycle, but the projections are optimistic. “We will have our second-best production year in the 2022 cycle,” said Abrapa’s International Relations Director, Marcelo Duarte.  Last season’s acreage reduction was climate-related.   

Cotton Brazil at CITI  

Abrapa also presented the numbers for the current Brazilian crop in another online event held on World Cotton Day (7) – this time, organized by the Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI). “In 2022, we will have a bigger cotton crop and with even more quality. Over 80% of our cotton is already certified by the ABR program, which makes it eligible for BCI credits, besides being contamination-free”, said Alexandre Schenkel, Vice-President of the association.  

Abrapa was also present in a virtual event by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to celebrate World Cotton Day. Abrapa’s executive director, Márcio Portocarrero, participated in a panel about how associations contribute to the strengthening of the cotton sector in Latin America and the Caribbean.    

On Friday (8), Cotton Brazil also promoted a business roundtable with trading companies as part of the program of ICA’s annual event.