With traceability and sustainability, the country surpasses the US in exports and reinforces its leading role in the global market
Cotton is one of the oldest fibers used by humanity, with records dating back to more than 4,000 years B.C. Today, this raw material represents between 21% and 23% of everything consumed by the textile industry worldwide. In Brazil, the use of this material is even greater, reaching 40% — in 2024, 700 thousand tons of cotton passed through machinery and were transformed into threads and fabrics in Brazilian industries.
Also last year, the country consolidated its leading role in cotton production and became the world’s largest exporter, surpassing the United States. In 2024, approximately 2.8 million tons were sold to the foreign market, according to data from the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (Mapa).
Good practices
Most local production (83%) is certified with a certificate of good agricultural practices, the Responsible Brazilian Cotton Protocol (ABR), which is the national standard for socio-environmental certification of cotton in the country.
Many producers have sought this certification, obtained after an external audit coordinated by the Brazilian Cotton Producers Association (Abrapa), to demonstrate socio-environmental responsibility to investors and consumers. “Today, there is a movement among retailers towards more sustainable fabrics and issues related to ESG,” says Silmara Ferraresi, director of Institutional Relations at Abrapa.
The traceability of cotton from the field to the store racks not only meets the transparency demands of today’s consumers, but also strengthens the competitiveness of Brazilian brands in the global market. This differential has attracted large retailers such as Renner, C&A, Reserva, Dohler, Dudalina and Individual. In its pilot phase, Sou ABR (I am Responsible Brazilian Cotton) is a program created to serve consumers who value sustainability and are aware of the impact of their purchasing decisions — and has already accounted for more than 194 thousand traceable clothing items.
“We believe that traceability and sustainability should be accessible. By taking this to large retailers, such as Renner and C&A, we can show consumers that these practices are also within their reach,” says Silmara Ferraresi.
This commitment to sustainability also drives the Sou de Algodão movement, promoted by Abrapa to bring together clothing manufacturers, spinning mills, knitwear companies and retailers. With 1,728 partner brands, the movement gained prominence at São Paulo Fashion Week in collective fashion shows by 12 designers. The next edition has already been confirmed for October 2025.
New record
Brazilian fiber production is expected to break a new record in the 2024/25 harvest, with around 3.761 million tons. If the forecasts are confirmed, Brazil will continue to lead the world in cotton exports. The projections are being treated with caution, as the harvest begins in May and, until then, the weather may influence productivity. “It is too early to say for sure. There was a small increase in the planted area and, if the weather cooperates, the expectation is to reach these numbers by the end of the harvest”, says the president of Abrapa, Gustavo Piccoli.