Exploring the Characteristics of Cotton Production in Brazil

Brazil joins the celebration of World Cotton Day this Monday, October 7, a commemorative date established by the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2019 to highlight the importance of cotton for the global economy and agribusiness.

“This year, we became the world’s largest exporter of cotton fiber, shipping to major markets, including Egypt, renowned for having the best cotton in the world. This date symbolizes the immense significance of cotton production for Brazil and its rural producers,” said Carlos Fávaro, Brazil’s Minister of Agriculture and Livestock.

According to the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa), the Cerrado region has been the main cotton-producing area since the late 1990s and early 2000s. Embrapa Cotton notes that the cotton plant’s cycle varies depending on the cultivar and environment—the closer to the Equator, the shorter the cycle. In the Cerrado zone, early cultivars have a cycle of about 150 days, medium-cycle cultivars take between 160 and 180 days, and long-cycle cultivars exceed 180 days.

In terms of planting, the soil must be properly managed and prepared to ensure future crop quality. Cotton cultivation demands nutrient-rich soil with corrected pH levels and no toxic aluminum, as well as good land and water conservation practices. Pest control is also crucial. To achieve higher productivity, factors like climate conditions, adequate water and light availability, and favorable temperatures are essential.

Embrapa Cotton further emphasizes that Brazilian cotton farming is a prime example of sectoral organization, with collaboration among various public and private entities working towards innovation and improving production processes.

Cotton is the most widely traded natural fiber in the world. Brazilian cotton farming boasts significant diversity in seeds, climates, and processing methods, leading to considerable product characteristics variations. Brazil is the world’s third-largest cotton producer, with Mato Grosso, Bahia, and Mato Grosso do Sul standing out as the leading production states.

According to the Agricultural Policy Secretariat of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (SPA/Mapa), cotton is Brazil’s fourth-largest temporary crop, with a production value estimated at BRL 33 billion.

Top Exporter

In 2024, Brazil became the world’s top cotton exporter. In the first eight months of this year, Brazil exported $3.35 billion worth of cotton, totaling 1.72 million tonnes—surpassing the total exported in all of 2023, which reached $3.33 billion and 1.68 million tonnes, according to the Secretariat of Trade and International Relations (SCRI/Mapa).

The chart below shows the evolution of the pace of Brazil’s cotton exports since January 2022. The data is from DataLiner.

Cotton Exports | Jan 2022 – Aug 2024 | TEUs

Source: DataLiner (click here to request a demo)

Brazilian cotton exports reach over 150 countries, with the main importers being China, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Turkey, and Pakistan.

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