Bahia begins planting of the 2024/25 cotton harvest with positive prospects

Cotton producers in Bahia began planting the 2024/25 crop in the western region of the state today. In the southwest, the calendar was brought forward, with work starting on November 1st. After the harvest of the 2023/2024 crop, which achieved significant results, the sanitary gap period was respected, which is essential to eliminate crop residues and weeds, in addition to allowing soil recovery.

In the previous harvest, Bahia cultivated a total area of ​​345.431 hectares, with a production of 691,4 thousand tons of cotton. Of this total, 247.609 hectares (71,68%) were destined for dryland areas, while 97.821 hectares (28%) were irrigated.

The average productivity was 325,45 arrobas of seed cotton per hectare, resulting in 2.001 kg of lint per hectare, according to the Bahian Cotton Producers Association (Abapa).

Expectations for the new harvest are positive. “This year, rainfall is within normal limits, which is a determining factor for the success of the harvest. Considering the low prices of cotton on the market, achieving good productivity is essential for the crop to remain viable. In this scenario, favorable weather is crucial to guaranteeing margins for producers,” highlights the president of Abapa, Luiz Carlos Bergamaschi.

According to him, the work that producers have been doing over the years is also a factor to be considered for quality delivery.

“Bahia’s producers have demonstrated a high level of professionalism, with consistent investments in technology, research and sustainable practices. This commitment has been essential to deliver high-quality cotton, meeting the demands of the national and international markets. This effort, combined with the favorable climate, so far, gives us promising expectations for this harvest,” said Bergamaschi.

As for the area destined for cultivation in this harvest, there is still an expectation of growth, but the exact numbers will be defined according to the evolution of planting.