Brazilian cotton exports hit a record high for June

Brazilian cotton exports reached their highest volume ever recorded for June 2026, according to data from the Foreign Trade Secretariat (Secex) of the Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade and Services (MDIC), released on July 3rd. Brazil shipped 217 tons of the fiber, a 63,4% increase compared to June 2025. In revenue, foreign sales totaled US$350,6 million, a 64,1% increase in the same comparison. According to the National Association of Cotton Exporters (Anea), the June figures reinforce the presence of Brazilian cotton in strategic markets in Asia and the Middle East.

 The monthly performance adds to a historically strong first half of the year, in a year in which Brazil maintains a high pace in fiber shipments. Bangladesh, Turkey, Pakistan, and Vietnam together accounted for 71,1% of the month's shipments, highlighting the importance of these destinations for sustaining Brazilian export performance. The result confirms the strong pace of shipments in the first half of the year. Even during the month, partial data already indicated the possibility of a new record for June, exceeding the level of 160,4 tons registered in June 2024.

According to the president of Anea, Dawid Wajs, June's performance also marks the positive closing of the 2025/2026 commercial cycle, considered by the sector to run from July 2025 to June 2026. "Despite a slower start to the harvest, due to general delays, Brazil managed to maintain high volumes throughout the period and register monthly export records in seven of the 12 harvest months: October, November, December, March, April, May, and June," he reports. "It was a very good harvest, from start to finish. Even with a weaker start, Brazil managed to export significant volumes, break records in several months, and gain ground in important markets for Brazilian cotton," Wajs states.

With this performance, cotton accounted for 0,97% of total Brazilian exports in June, ranking 17th in the overall list of national exports. In the agricultural sector, the fiber represented 4,31% of the month's exports and ranked third among the main products shipped by Brazilian agribusiness.

Destinations

Among the main destinations for Brazilian cotton in June, Bangladesh led the purchases, accounting for 21,7% of total exports. Next came Turkey, with 17,7%; Pakistan, with 17,4%; Vietnam, with 14,3%; Indonesia, with 7,6%; China and India, both with 6,3%. Also appearing on the list are Malaysia, with 2,9%; Egypt, with 2,2%; South Korea, with 1,7%; Thailand, with 0,6%; Mauritius, with 0,4%; and Japan, with 0,2%.

According to Anea, the country has made progress in strategic markets. Dawid Wajs states that Bangladesh, the main buyer of Brazilian cotton in June, recorded its highest historical volume of imports from Brazil throughout the harvest season. The president also stated that Turkey reached its highest historical volume of purchases of Brazilian cotton fiber, maintaining a growth trajectory in recent years. India was another highlight, with imports more than doubling compared to the highest volume previously recorded, achieved in the last harvest season.

“Bangladesh and Turkey are markets where Brazil has been growing significantly in recent years. India, in turn, has had a very impressive performance, more than doubling the largest volume it had ever imported of Brazilian cotton,” adds Wajs.

The analysis by Anea also points to the maintenance of already consolidated markets. Indonesia, considered a captive destination, maintained stability in import volumes. Egypt, Malaysia, and South Korea remained among the buyers of Brazilian fiber. “In the case of China, although Brazil did not achieve a record harvest, the exported volume was the second highest in the historical series, reinforcing the Brazilian presence in one of the world's main consumer markets. Vietnam was the only one among the major destinations to show a decline, but it remained with a volume considered strong and consistent,” it notes.

Diversification

Another point highlighted by Anea is logistical diversification. Although the Port of Santos remains the main port of departure for Brazilian cotton, the Port of Salvador has been expanding its share and consolidating itself as an increasingly important route for the fiber. Other ports, such as São Francisco do Sul, Paranaguá, Itaguaí, Itajaí, and Rio de Janeiro, also recorded good volumes and contributed to the flow of national production.

“Salvador has become an increasingly important port for Brazilian cotton. Santos remains dominant, but other ports are helping to export the national fiber, which is positive for the sector's logistics,” says the president of Anea.