Data From Brazilian Cotton Exporters Association: The Export Volume Of Cotton Exceeds That Of The United States For The First Time

The Brazilian National Cotton Exporters Association recently announced that Brazilian cotton will produce a total of 3.7 million tons of cotton in the 2023/24 harvest season, 60% of which will be exported. Brazil's cotton export volume will surpass the United States for the first time, becoming the world's largest cotton export country. From the world's second largest cotton importer more than 20 years ago to the largest cotton exporter today, Brazil's cotton industry has experienced a "phoenix nirvana" process from recession to prosperity.

Cotton is one of the most important crops, and its main by-products have high utilization value. Cotton is not only the most important fiber crop, but also an important oil crop, a food crop with high protein, textile, fine chemical raw materials and important strategic materials. In 1500, the Portuguese came to Brazil and found a large number of naturally grown cotton. The Portuguese royal family used these naturally grown cotton to set up textile mills there. In the 1630s, manual cotton textile processing began to appear in Brazil, which is documented. In 1863, the British first introduced upland cotton varieties with high yield to Brazil, which greatly developed cotton production in Brazil.

From the 1960s to the early 1980s, Brazil's cotton industry developed rapidly and its output continued to rise. However, since 1983, the Brazilian cotton industry has nearly collapsed due to the impact of serious pests and diseases. In this case, as the consumption of cotton in the domestic market remains at a high level, Brazil has to import cotton to meet domestic demand. Brazil has also changed from a net exporter of cotton to a net importer of cotton. At the peak of import, 60% of cotton demand depends on imports. Since the 1997/98 harvest season, in order to avoid further shrinkage of Brazil's cotton industry, the government has encouraged land reclamation and planting, and actively promoted the application of new technologies, new products and new equipment of the sustainable production model in cotton producing areas. Cotton imports began to gradually decline, and Brazil's cotton production returned to self-sufficiency by the 2000/01 harvest season, Later, it was transformed from a cotton importing country to a major cotton exporting country again. Brazil is located in the southern hemisphere. Climate conditions support the harvesting of two seasons of cotton each year, thus effectively filling the gap between cotton producing countries in the northern hemisphere. There is a clear distinction between rainy season and dry season in Brazilian cotton producing areas. Cotton production is generally sown in rainy season and harvested in dry season. At present, 92% of Brazil's cotton producing areas do not use irrigation, and the average productivity of cotton in dryland ranks first in the world. Cotton planting in Brazil is mainly concentrated in Mato Grosso and Bahia, which account for 90% of the country's planting area and output.

According to the previous plan, the goal of becoming the world's largest cotton exporter will not be achieved until 2030, said Schenkel, president of the Brazilian Cotton Producers Association. "It is a historic milestone to gain the world leading position in the supply of cotton fiber, which was unexpectedly achieved so soon. We have been constantly striving to improve the process, improve the quality and pursue sustainability."

The President of the National Cotton Exporters Association of Brazil, Luis Faus, said: "This transformation is due to the massive work and investment in the overall reconfiguration of cotton production, including scientific research and development, and the professionalism of producers. This milestone makes us proud as producers and citizens."

At present, the cotton planting area in Brazil is expanding, the unit output is rising, the domestic consumption is relatively stable, and the export volume is rising. However, in recent years, due to the changes in the international situation, the cost of pesticides, fertilizers and agricultural machinery has increased significantly. Brazil is also facing the challenge that its export earnings may not cover the cost of cotton production in the new season. In addition, the substitution effect of non cotton fibers is also a common problem faced by the global cotton textile industry, including Brazil.

At present, the main export markets of Brazilian cotton include China, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Turkey and Pakistan. According to the data released by the Brazilian Cotton Producers Association, from August last year to April this year, Brazil exported 1.2 million tons of cotton to China, up 66% year on year. The association pointed out that Brazilian cotton combines the characteristics of sustainable production mode and high quality, has high competitiveness, and is welcomed by more and more international buyers.