Brazil Hosts First International Cotton Brazil Outlook Seminar in India to Strengthen Cotton Trade Ties

Brazil launched its first international event of the 2024-25 commercial year in India with the Cotton Brazil Outlook seminar, held today at The Lalit, New Delhi. The seminar, organized by Cotton Brazil and supported by the Brazilian Embassy in India, marked a significant step in strengthening Brazil-India ties in the cotton trade. The event drew participation from business leaders, investors, and government officials from India’s textile industry.

Cotton Brazil, an initiative by the Brazilian Cotton Growers Association (Abrapa) in partnership with the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil) and the National Cotton Exporters Association (Anea), aims to increase Brazilian cotton exports to priority markets like India. As the second-largest cotton consumer globally, India remains a crucial target for Brazilian cotton growers looking to expand their footprint in the region.

In his keynote address, Alexandre Schenkel, President of Abrapa, highlighted Brazil’s commitment to providing high-quality, socio-environmentally responsible cotton. “Over 80% of our cotton crop is certified for social and environmental responsibility. It’s contamination-free and fully traceable, making it an excellent fit for the global textile industry,” said Schenkel.

The seminar showcased how Brazilian cotton, known for its Better Cotton certification and sustainability standards, can boost the competitiveness of the Indian textile sector. With cotton exports to India currently at 8.09 thousand tons for the 2023-24 commercial year—less than half of the previous cycle—Brazil hopes to regain momentum in the Indian market.

Despite being the world’s largest cotton exporter, overtaking the United States in the 2023-24 commercial year, Brazilian cotton still accounts for only 5% of India’s cotton imports. The Cotton Brazil Outlook seminar aimed to address this gap by discussing export projections, key indicators, and market trends for the upcoming 2024-25 crop.

Anea’s president, Miguel Faus, also addressed the attendees, emphasizing the importance of maintaining strong trade relations between the two countries. The seminar included a Q&A session, giving participants a chance to engage directly with Brazilian cotton executives and industry experts.

The Cotton Brazil Outlook seminar symbolises the growing importance of Brazil as a key player in the global cotton market. With this strategic push, Brazil hopes to increase its presence in India’s robust textile industry.