Cotton sector strives for logistics improvement in Port of Santos exports

Representatives from the Brazilian Association of Cotton Producers (Abrapa) and the National Association of Cotton Exporters (Anea) convened this Wednesday (16th) in Santos to deliberate on the Responsible Brazilian Cotton Program for Inland Terminals (ABR-Log). This initiative introduces a socio-environmental certification focused on efficient logistics that ensures the export product’s quality all the way through to its final destination. Four terminals at the Port of Santos have now received this certification.

According to Abrapa’s President, Alexandre Schenkel, ABR-Log serves as an incentive to the sector’s aspirations of positioning Brazil as the world’s largest cotton supplier, currently trailing only behind the United States. This certification targets the process of receiving and storing cotton bales, container stuffing, and pre-shipment final touches. It’s an integral part of the Cotton Brazil initiative, which promotes Brazilian cotton on the international stage.

Schenkel emphasized the need for logistical efficiency in light of projected production growth. “We anticipate a production exceeding 3 million tonnes, surpassing 2022’s 2.6 million tons. Approximately 700,000 tonnes stay within Brazil, distributed among our textile industries. Thus, around 2.5 million tonnes of cotton need to be exported, with the majority, about 95%, using the Port of Santos as an exit way for cotton exports.”

The chart below shows the volume of cotton measured in tonnes exported overseas through the Port of Santos between 2019 and Jun 2023. The data is from DataLiner.

Cotton exports from Port of Santos | Jan 2019 – Jun 2023 | WTMT

Source: DataLiner (click here to request a demo)

Recently, on the 16th, four Santos port terminals were granted the ABR-LOG certification: S. Magalhães, Essemaga, Hipercon, and LDC. Anea’s President, Miguel Faus, clarified that ABR-Log’s funding stems from participating companies. “While we’re commencing with these four terminals, the overarching plan envisions all Santos terminals and other Brazilian ports obtaining this certification.”

Faus believes that ABR-Log has the potential to evolve into an internationally recognized hallmark of quality. “Over time, it will become imperative for foreign buyers,” he asserted, highlighting that the certification will vouch for logistics’ quality, encompassing truck transportation, container loading, and product presentation upon arrival to international customers.

The president of the Commercial Association of Santos (ACS), Mauro Sammarco, said that “the cotton that is exported is stewed in the terminals of the Port of Santos. Although it is not the biggest cargo handled, it brings many services to the region. We’re talking about a substantial annual volume of 100 thousand containers, and its growth potential is immense. This cargo holds exceptional importance.”

Source: A Tribuna

To read the original text, visit: https://www.atribuna.com.br/noticias/portomar/setor-de-algodao-trabalha-por-qualidade-logistica-nas-exportacoes-pelo-porto-de-santos

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