Brazil’s cotton sector is witnessing mixed trends, with exports hitting a record high even as trading activity slowed in mid-April. According to the Center for Advanced Studies on Applied Economics, shipments—particularly to China—have been a key driver behind the strong export performance, despite price fluctuations and a mismatch between domestic and export markets.
In March 2026, Brazil exported 347,800 tons of cotton, marking a 28.6% increase from February and a 45.4% rise compared to March 2025. This represents the highest March export volume on record and the strongest monthly performance since December 2025.
Over the past 12 months, total cotton shipments reached 3.032 million tons, surpassing the previous record of 3.026 million tons in 2025, according to data from the Secretariat of Foreign Trade.
CEPEA noted that domestic cotton prices have remained relatively firm despite fluctuations. While weaker demand has occasionally pressured prices downward, sellers have maintained strong pricing for higher-quality cotton.
