Brazil Leads Global Cotton Exports but Faces Growing Market Challenges

Brazil has consolidated its position as the world’s largest cotton exporter, accounting for 34% of global trade in the fiber, according to the Brazilian Cotton Exporters Association (Anea). Brazilian cotton exports totaled approximately 3.37 million tonnes during the 2025/26 marketing year, generating around $5.3 billion in revenue. The figures were reported by Érica Gomes, a correspondent for Rádio Sociedade da Bahia.

Seaborne trade data monitored by Datamar show that Brazilian cotton exports rose 27% between January and August compared with the same period a year earlier. In total, Brazil shipped 162,100 TEUs of cotton to markets worldwide. The chart below provides a month-by-month breakdown:

Cotton Exports | Jan 2024 – Aug 2026 | TEUs

Source: DataLiner – explore our trade data

Brazilian Cotton Exports Face Growing Competition

Despite the strong results, the industry faces challenges in maintaining its position in the international market. The United States is seeking to regain export market share, while the growing use of synthetic fibers is raising concerns among cotton producers. Over the past two decades, cotton’s share of global fiber consumption has fallen from 37% to 21%, reducing the natural fiber’s presence in the market.

The industry’s challenges and outlook were discussed during an international conference held Oct. 14–15 in Istanbul, Turkey. The event brought together representatives from across the cotton supply chain to discuss the future of the fiber in global trade. The next edition is scheduled for 2027 in São Paulo, Brazil.

Source: Sociedade On

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