Abrapa Cotton Brazil Report – April 2026 Highlights
Brazilian cotton exports hit a record in March 2026, shipping 347.8 thousand tonnes – up 28.6% from February and 45.4% year‑on‑year, generating US$530 million. China (103,463 tonnes, 30%), Bangladesh (56,191 tonnes, 16%) and India (41,387 tonnes, 12%) led imports, totaling 58% of volume. Cumulative Aug–Mar 2025/26 exports reached 2.340 million tonnes, up 9.2% from last year, with China, Bangladesh and Turkey at 57% (1,133.5 thousand tonnes).
For the 2025/26 crop (Aug 2025–Jul 2026), farmers have sold 61% of output. Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) transactions total 1.15 million tonnes (Aug–Mar), with 79% Mass Balance and 21% Physical.
Abrapa’s April update revises the 2026 crop: planted area down 5% to 2.05 million hectares (vs. 2.17M ha in 2025), production at 3.83 million tonnes (‑10% YoY). Yield forecast falls 4.7% to 1,865 kg/ha. Seed cotton production estimated at 9.30 million tonnes (‑9.9% vs. 2025).