Brazil has reached a historic milestone by surpassing the United States to become the world’s largest cotton exporter. The 2023-2024 harvest, with a production of more than 3.7 million tons, ensured Brazil’s position as the global leader in cotton production and exportation. This achievement was made public at the 75th meeting of the Cotton and Its Derivatives Sectoral Chamber held in Comandatuba, Bahia state, during the ANEA Cotton Dinner Conference, organized by the National Association of Cotton Exporters (ANEA).
This milestone was initially expected to be reached by 2030, but Brazil’s swift progress in the sector has made it a reality sooner than anticipated. The Brazilian cotton industry has seen significant improvements in quality, traceability, and sustainability, which have been key to its success. The change in the Brazilian cotton industry has been remarkable. Just two decades ago, the country was the second-largest global importer of cotton. Currently, Brazil has become a leader in cotton exports due to extensive investment in research, scientific development, and industry cooperation.
The Brazilian cotton sector has also benefited from a robust integration with the domestic textile industry, which has helped maintain resilience in the face of international competition. This synergy has increased cotton consumption, with expectations that the national consumption will rise from 750 thousand tons to 1 million tons annually. Furthermore, about 84% of Brazilian cotton production is certified for social and environmental sustainability.
Brazilian cotton exports have been further boosted by growing demand from countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh, which have resumed their purchases after previous financial challenges. This recovery has added to Brazil exceeding its initial export forecasts, with the country now set to export more than 2.4 million tons of cotton this year. Key markets for Brazilian cotton include China, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Turkey, and Pakistan.