Rabobank confirms presence at the 12th Brazilian Cotton Congress

The bank responsible for financing more than 60% of the Brazilian feather harvest, Rabobank is one of the sponsors of the 12th Brazilian Cotton Congress (12th CBA), an event that should bring together around 1,5 thousand people in Goiânia, between the days August 27th and 29th. The bank celebrates another year of growth in its area commodity, which, in this cycle, exceeded 1,5 million hectares planted, with an expected harvest of 2,5 million tons. The congress is held by the Brazilian Association of Cotton Producers (Abrapa), and this year it brings the theme Cotton farming as a showcase for tomorrow's agriculture.

According to the director of Rural Banking at Rabobank Brasil, Fabiana Alves, the scenario of area recovery and record production favors the country's positioning in the international market. For the bank, Brazil should consolidate itself as the second largest global exporter, with competitive advantages compared to its competitors, in particular, the capacity to expand production in systems such as second-crop cultivation.

“To reach this potential, the sector will need investments in the field, with specific machinery for the crop, including increasing processing capacity and also developing logistical alternatives for traditional exports, currently concentrated in ports in the Center-South”, explains. Because of this, Rabobank's participation in the congress, the most important national cotton industry event, in the executive's opinion, is very important.

The cotton sector, under the leadership of Abrapa, has, according to Fabiana Alves, the fundamental role of promoting key debates about the interests, opportunities and challenges of Brazilian cotton farming. “An organized sector, with clear guidelines and strategies, with coordinated action, is the result of this representation. The dissemination of knowledge, the integration of producers and state associations, and institutional unity are essential, not only to solidify the country's position as one of the most relevant in the world production of sustainable and quality cotton, but also to open markets and to work towards improving the profitability of the sector”, he concludes.

For the president of Abrapa, Milton Garbugio, Rabobank's recurring participation in the CBA is proof of the credit institution's confidence in the cotton sector. “Private banking institutions are fundamental to making Brazilian cotton farming viable, because government programs, which make up the Safra Plans, are not always sufficient or accessible in the time that cotton farming demands. Being in the CBA facilitates the relationship between producers and the bank”, says Garbugio.