Abapa's Cotton Day brings together 1,2 people.

Abapa's Cotton Day reached its fifth edition, bringing together producers, researchers, consultants, students, representatives of the production chain, and authorities to discuss the challenges influencing the present and future of cotton farming in Bahia. Promoted by the Bahia Cotton Producers Association (Abapa), the event took place on July 31st and August 1st in Luís Eduardo Magalhães, with a program divided into two complementary sessions.

On Friday, the agenda was geared towards Abapa members, authorities, and guests, with discussions on logistics, the market, and the economic and political scenarios that impact the activity. On Saturday, approximately 1,2 people participated in the technical program at the organization's Training Center, located in the Bahia Farm Show Complex, where research results and analyses were presented to support decisions for the next harvest.

The program took place during an important period for the sector. As the 2025/2026 harvest progresses, producers are already beginning to define cultivars, review management strategies, organize costs, and assess the risks of the next planting. At the same time, the growth in production, the expansion of irrigation, and Brazil's position in the international market increase the need for commercial planning, logistical infrastructure, and integration between the different links in the chain.

Supply chain discusses expansion of exports through the Port of Salvador.

The program began with a workshop on the Cotton Logistics Corridor, held at the headquarters of the Bahia Association of Farmers and Irrigators (Aiba). The meeting brought together representatives from different links in the production and export chain to discuss alternatives capable of expanding the flow of production through the Port of Salvador.

Producers, exporters, trading companies, shipowners, transporters, port operators, and representatives of public authorities participated in the meeting, which aimed to identify the bottlenecks faced at each stage of the operation and advance in defining an action plan for the logistics corridor. Among the topics discussed were the predictability of ship schedules, container availability, expansion of storage areas, port access, cargo receiving times, and the integration of information between farms, cotton gins, transport companies, trading companies, and terminals.

Bahian potential

At the opening of the Workshop, the president of Abapa, Alessandra Zanotto Costa, highlighted the difference between the state's production potential and the volume that is still shipped through the capital of Bahia. The 2025/2026 harvest could reach close to one million tons of cotton lint, while approximately 200 tons were exported through the Port of Salvador in the previous cycle.

For Alessandra, expanding this participation depends on coordinated action among all those involved in the operation, from the origin of the cargo to its shipment. “We are still far from realizing the potential of our region. We need to bring all the links to the table, understand the bottlenecks of each one, and leave this meeting with an action plan that allows us to expand the flow of cotton produced in Western Bahia through the Port of Salvador,” she stated.

The coordination also involved the Bahia State Secretariat for Economic Development, the Salvador Municipal Secretariat for Economic Development, and the Municipal Secretariat for the Sea. According to the president of Abapa, the participation of these areas demonstrates that the debate goes beyond port operations and encompasses economic planning, infrastructure, and regional development.

“It’s important to have the State Government, the Salvador City Hall, the Federal Revenue Service, and the private sector at the table. There are issues that depend on the production chain, but there are also challenges that need to be addressed by the public authorities, both in terms of infrastructure and in creating the conditions for this route to gain scale,” added Alessandra.

When presenting Abapa's projections, the organization's executive director, Gustavo Prado, reported that the area cultivated with cotton in Bahia could increase from the current 447 hectares to approximately 612 hectares by 2030. With this expansion, production could reach approximately 1,35 million tons, of which about 80% should be destined for the export market.

External bottlenecks

The expected growth in production and exports increases the pressure on an infrastructure that already needs to keep pace with Brazil's new role in the international market. According to Gustavo Piccoli, president of the Brazilian Cotton Producers Association (Abrapa), the main obstacles to competitiveness today lie outside the rural properties.

“Brazilian cotton producers are extremely competent within the farm gate, but our biggest bottlenecks are outside the farm gate. Brazil has established itself as the world's largest cotton exporter, and this requires us to significantly improve our logistics,” he said. Piccoli added that Bahia should concentrate a significant part of the expansion of national cotton farming in the coming years.

Reducing the road distance is one of the main advantages of the Bahia route. Luís Eduardo Magalhães is approximately one thousand kilometers from Salvador, compared to about 1,6 kilometers to Santos. According to the president of the National Association of Cotton Exporters (Anea), Dawid Wajs, the consolidation of this corridor could benefit not only Bahia, but also other states in the Matopiba region.

“The route through Salvador exists, it’s feasible, and it’s been showing results. Now we need to take the next steps, increase the supply of containers, and work together to expand this operation,” he stated. According to Dawid, the decision of private agents will depend on their ability to transform these advantages into predictability, efficiency, and economic competitiveness.

Customs efficiency

The efficiency of customs procedures was cited as another factor contributing to the strengthening of the Port of Salvador. Representing the Federal Revenue Service, tax auditor Sandra Aparecida Magnavita Castro, delegate of the Salvador Customs Office and superintendent of the 5th Fiscal Region, reported that approximately 97% of export cargo passes through the green channel, without the need for physical inspection.

According to Sandra Magnavita, the Revenue Service's work seeks to reconcile customs control with reducing obstacles for companies that operate legally.

“We believe that what’s important is compliance, guidance, and facilitating trade,” she stated. She also informed that the agency is studying new procedures to further reduce cargo release times.

The meeting also addressed the development of common guidelines for export procedures, the updating of Abapa's logistics studies, and the continuation of dialogue between the production sector, private operators, and public bodies. The objective is to progressively increase the participation of the Port of Salvador in cotton exports and prepare the infrastructure for the projected growth of production in Bahia.

A look beyond the fields

On Friday night, the program continued with a meeting dedicated to the scenarios that influence cotton farming. The aim was to lead producers to reflect on factors that go beyond farm management, such as the market, international trade, regulatory changes, geopolitics, and consumer behavior.

In opening the event, Alessandra Zanotto highlighted that, despite incorporating technology in all stages of production, cotton remains the same natural and versatile fiber used by humanity for thousands of years. For her, this permanence contrasts with the speed of change surrounding the industry and reinforces the importance of bringing together people from different fields to reflect on the sector.

“Producing cotton isn’t easy, but we’ve been doing it for generations. When it comes to what happens beyond the farm gate, however, we are perpetual learners. It’s difficult to produce in uncertain scenarios, with changing laws, agencies that don’t always move in sync with the agricultural sector, wars, market volatility, and transformations in consumer behavior,” he stated.

The roundtable discussion “Scenarios and Direct Impacts on Brazilian Cotton Farming” brought together André Pessoa, Master in Applied Economics from Esalq-USP, Alessandra Zanotto Costa, Gustavo Piccoli, and Dawid Wajs. The debate addressed the prospects for production, the international market, commercialization, and the challenges for the distribution of the fiber.

New scenarios

Analyzing the initial results of the Bahia harvest, André Pessoa stated that the yields observed in the field are above initial estimates. According to him, the expansion of irrigation is altering the state's productive profile and opens the possibility for Bahia to register one of the best harvests in its history in terms of productivity.

The economist considered that the increase in production also amplifies the supply chain's responsibility regarding commercial planning, market access, and the logistics necessary to move ever-increasing volumes.

The evening concluded with a lecture by historian and philosopher Leandro Karnal. His presentation offered a broader perspective on the transformations of the contemporary world and the role of thought in understanding current challenges. In introducing the guest speaker, Alessandra emphasized that thinking about the future also requires looking back, formulating new questions, and evaluating events from different perspectives.

Research and decision-making within the property

On Saturday, attention turned to the factors that most immediately affect crop yields. The technical program was organized into three thematic stations, led by researchers from the Bahia Foundation and the Center for Advanced Studies in Applied Economics (Cepea/Esalq-USP).

In her opening remarks, Alessandra highlighted that the harvest is still underway, but planning for the new crop has already begun. According to her, it is during this period that producers compare results, review strategies, choose materials, organize costs, and assess the risks they will face.

"Bahia is experiencing a phase of changes in its production system, with greater use of irrigation, alterations to the agricultural calendar, and new possibilities for organizing harvests. This movement increases stability and production capacity, but also demands more knowledge, management, and coordination among all links in the chain," he stated.

The president of Abapa further emphasized that Cotton Day seeks to bring research results closer to the accumulated experience on farms. "This meeting doesn't provide ready-made answers. It's an opportunity for exchange, where the data presented by researchers meets the experience of those who produce," she highlighted.

Choose a variety

At the genetics station, researcher Murilo Barros Pedrosa, from the Bahia Foundation, presented the results of the evaluation of 46 cotton cultivars, including 30 new materials, tested in different production environments in western Bahia.

The studies compared productivity, technological fiber quality, disease and pest resistance, and profitability indicators. The results demonstrated that cultivar selection should consider not only productive potential but also material stability, health, and fiber quality.

Production costs

The economic analysis was conducted by researcher Renato Garcia Ribeiro, from Cepea/Esalq-USP, who presented projections for the 2026/2027 harvest. According to him, although real production costs have stabilized, high interest rates, the cost of capital, and investments in machinery continue to put pressure on the activity's margins.

In an environment of tighter profitability, productivity and operational efficiency remain among the main factors for sustaining the competitiveness of properties.

Collective combat

The third session was led by researcher Allef de Souza Silva, from the Bahia Foundation, who presented studies on the population dynamics of the cotton boll weevil during the growing and off-seasons.

The results showed that a large proportion of the females remain capable of reproduction during this period, reinforcing that controlling the main pest of the crop depends on continuous strategies. Monitoring, destruction of crop residues, compliance with sanitary measures, and attention to volunteer plants are fundamental to reducing infestation in the following cycle.

When addressing the topic, Alessandra pointed out that no farm can combat the boll weevil in isolation. “It’s a challenge that depends on collective action. The commitment needs to come from the entire region, during the harvest season and, above all, during the off-season,” she stated.

Partnership with Embrapa

One of the highlights of the program was the signing of the Technical Cooperation Agreement between Abapa and Embrapa Algodão. The document was signed by Alessandra Zanotto Costa and the head of Embrapa Algodão, Nair Helena de Castro Arriel, formalizing a partnership aimed at building a permanent research agenda for cotton farming in Western Bahia.

The agreement consolidates work that began this year with the installation of a permanent Embrapa structure at Abapa's headquarters. This initiative brings researchers and producers closer together and allows the demands found in the field to guide studies in areas such as plant health, soil conservation, fiber quality, low-carbon agriculture, biotechnology, and data integration to support decision-making.

Climate and management

The technical program concluded with the roundtable discussion “Strategic management of cotton under the El Niño effect: climate, diseases and plant physiology”. Participants included Ricardo Reis, PhD in Geography and CEO of AeQuilibrium; Fabiano Perina, PhD in Phytopathology and researcher at Embrapa Algodão; and Ricardo de Andrade, PhD in Phytotechnics and researcher at Fundação Bahia.

The debate demonstrated how climatic conditions interfere with the occurrence of diseases, plant physiology, and the management strategies adopted by producers. The discussion reinforced the need to integrate meteorological information, statistics, and agronomic knowledge into crop planning.

For Alessandra, this combination summarizes the event's purpose. “Anticipating scenarios and interpreting information has become as important as executing each operation well. Research only fully fulfills its role when it reaches the field and can be compared with the experience of those who produce,” she concluded.