Brazil’s cotton exports reach record 3.37 million tonnes in 2025/26
Brazil exported a record 3.37 million tonnes of cotton in the 2025/26 marketing year, up 19% from the previous season. China remained the largest destination, while USDA expects Brazil to retain its global export lead in 2026/27.
Shipments exceed 3 million tonnes for the first time
Brazil exported a record 3.37 million tonnes of cotton during the 2025/26 marketing year, which ran from August 2025 through July 2026, according to data from the Brazilian Cotton Producers Association, Abrapa. Shipments increased 19% from the previous season and generated approximately US$5.3 billion, Brasil 247 reported, citing CNN Brasil.
It was the first time Brazilian cotton exports exceeded 3 million tonnes in a single marketing year. The latest result was also 132% above the 1.45 million tonnes shipped in 2022/23. Exports had already risen to 2.68 million tonnes in 2023/24 and 2.84 million tonnes in 2024/25, showing a sustained expansion in Brazil’s presence in the international cotton market.
The sector recorded a trade surplus of US$5.29 billion in 2025/26, an increase of 9% from the previous period. Abrapa president Gustavo Piccoli linked the record to gains in scale, competitiveness and confidence among international buyers. He said Brazil had consolidated its position as a strategic supplier to the global textile industry.
China expands purchases by 67%
China was the largest destination for Brazilian cotton, accounting for 23% of shipments. Chinese buyers imported 770,500 tonnes, an increase of 309,200 tonnes, or 67%, from 2024/25. That growth made China a major contributor to the season’s overall export record and reinforced the importance of Asian textile manufacturing demand to Brazilian producers and merchants.
Bangladesh also increased its purchases, taking 173,200 tonnes. By contrast, shipments to Vietnam and Pakistan declined to 137,400 tonnes and 79,200 tonnes, respectively. Turkey and India remained among the principal consuming markets, while Abrapa said India had significantly increased its share.
The distribution of sales across China, Bangladesh, Turkey, India, Vietnam and Pakistan gives Brazil access to several of the world’s major textile-processing centers. It also reduces dependence on a single destination, although China’s 23% share means changes in Chinese mill demand, inventories or purchasing policy will continue to have a substantial impact on Brazilian export performance.
USDA expects Brazil to retain export leadership
For 2026/27, the US Department of Agriculture projects that Brazil will continue to lead global cotton exports, with shipments of 3.33 million tonnes. The corresponding forecast for the United States is 2.68 million tonnes, leaving a projected gap of 650,000 tonnes between the two exporters.
USDA also expects Brazil to remain the world’s third-largest cotton producer in 2026/27, with output of 3.97 million tonnes, behind China and India. On that basis, projected exports would absorb most of Brazil’s production, keeping logistics, quality control and access to overseas mills central to the sector’s commercial performance.
Piccoli said preserving Brazil’s position would require continued investment in quality, sustainability, traceability, innovation and relationships with buyers. After export volumes more than doubled from 2022/23 to 2025/26, the next test will be whether the supply chain can maintain reliability and competitiveness as Brazil handles annual shipments above 3 million tonnes.
