Cargill, CMA CGM join forces in 100-tonne cotton shipment from Fortaleza Port

A 100-tonne cotton shipment departed from the Port of Fortaleza, Brazil, introducing a new export route to Asia. Cargill and CMA CGM shipped four containers from the Port of Fortaleza to Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam.

This development broadens the possibilities for this type of shipment and reaffirms the strategic importance of Ceará in international trade, which encompasses volumes like this and commodities grown more than 800 km away.

The cotton sent to Vietnam was grown in Western Bahia and certified by the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI), which assesses environmental impacts from cultivation to final use. The route planned and managed by CMA CGM is expected to help better distribute international shipments, as it is estimated that the Port of Santos handles 95% of Brazil’s international cotton exports.

“This initiative emphasizes how crucial strategic logistics are to ensuring that Brazilian commodities reach the world as soon as possible. We expect more shipments from Fortaleza soon; this was just the first shipment of this volume,” said Daniela Duarte, Head of International Transport and Cabotage for Cargill in Latin America. According to her, this projection aligns with expected crop yields in states like Piauí, Maranhão, and Tocantins. Looking ahead, the company plans to expand the same logistics to serve the growing cotton production in other regions, including Northwest Bahia, Piauí, and Maranhão.

“This new export route launched in the Port of Fortaleza demonstrates our commitment to offering logistical alternatives that meet our clients’s specific needs, which offers increased flexibility and efficiency in the transportation of Brazilian goods to the global market. We are dedicated to keeping up our operations expansion, bolstering our presence, and promoting trade growth in the nation,” stated Neusa Marcelino, Managing Director of CMA CGM Brazil.

Brazilian agriculture has established itself as a global supplier of commodities, being the world’s largest exporter of cotton. The country’s size poses a challenge for those looking to ship grains and fibers to destinations like Europe and Asia. Developing new export routes allows for more efficient transportation across the entire supply chain.

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