Brazil poised to become world's largest cotton exporter

A Brazilian cotton industry leader said the country is poised to become the world's largest cotton exporter, surpassing the United States, as Texas - the main US producing region - suffers from drought and heat.

Brazil sẵn sàng trở thành nước xuất khẩu bông lớn nhất thế giới. (Nguồn: Bilyonaryo)

Brazil is on track to surpass the US to become the world's largest cotton exporter. (Source: Bilyonaryo)

“If the US crop continues to deteriorate, Brazil could easily surpass the US,” Gustavo Vigano, vice president of the Brazilian Cotton Producers Association, told Xinhua .

Brazil and the United States are “on par with each other in terms of basic statistics,” he said. “It is conceivable that Brazil will become the world’s largest exporter this season.”

The United States and Brazil are among the world’s largest cotton exporters, accounting for more than half of global supply. The United States is expected to export 12.5 million bales in the 2023-24 season, but that number could fall due to drought in Texas.

As a result, Brazil, with a forecast of exporting 11.25 million bales this season, could become the world's largest exporter.

Furthermore, Mr. Vigano assessed, the quality of American cotton has “not been good” in recent years due to drought, while Brazil has “very good quality” due to its rainfall.

The U.S. cotton crop is just one notch above the worst on record, as about 40% of production comes from drought-stricken areas, including nearly all of Texas, which had its second-hottest summer on record this year.

“Many (Brazilian) farmers want to increase cotton acreage next year,” Mr. Vigano added. Brazil “cannot use up all the supply, so we will export more.”

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