Sustainable cotton program sees increased membership

In the 2023/2024 harvest, growth was 20,6%

31.01.2025 | 14:52 (UTC -3)
Catarina Guedes

The Responsible Brazilian Cotton Program (ABR), an initiative focused on the sustainability of Brazilian cotton, promoted by the Brazilian Cotton Producers Association (Abrapa), reached 451 production units, with a volume of 3,04 million tons of certified cotton, in the 2023/2024 harvest. This means that the program is present in 83% of national production. Compared to the previous cycle, when it registered 374 farms and 2,67 million tons, there was a 20,6% increase in the number of adhesions, with a 14% increase in certified production.

For Abrapa president Gustavo Piccoli (pictured), these advances highlight producers' commitment to better practices in the social, environmental and economic dimensions, reinforcing Brazil's leading role in the global responsible cotton market.

"After more than ten years of operation, the ABR has established itself as a fundamental pillar for the promotion of responsible and sustainable cotton production in Brazil, acting as a catalyst for transformation in the sector. The program encourages agricultural practices that respect Brazilian environmental and labor laws, promoting continuous improvement on rural properties," he says.

Created in 2012, the ABR aims to standardize and promote constant improvement in the management of natural resources, working conditions and cultivation techniques on cotton farms. With voluntary membership, the program certifies compliance with Brazilian labor and environmental standards, as well as international criteria, in partnership with Better Cotton (BC), one of the world's leading sustainability licensors.

Farms in seven Brazilian states participated in the program last harvest, contributing significantly to the advancement of sustainability in the sector. Mato Grosso, with 284 production units, led certified production, with 2.125.910 tons, followed by Bahia (641.555 tons) and Maranhão (55.682 tons). In addition, ABR farms generated more than 41 direct jobs, including 4.891 positions for women.

International Visibility

According to the latest report, Brazil is responsible for 48% of the global production licensed by Better Cotton, standing out as a reference in responsible production. Of all the cotton licensed by BC in the world, more than a third was grown on Brazilian farms.

In the four Brazilian municipalities with the largest production of ABR cotton, the population has doubled in the last 20 years, reflecting a significant improvement in quality of life. According to the Firjan index, the quality of life in these municipalities is 16,8% higher than the Brazilian average for the Human Development Index (HDI). In the last ten years, the HDI in these cities has grown 0,5% above the national average. Another distinguishing feature of the program is the low water consumption: only 7% of the planted area in Brazil used irrigation in the last harvest, a rate well below the global average of 45%.

For the president of Abrapa, leveraging production with sustainable practices, innovation and governance is essential to maintain Brazil as a long-term leader in the global cotton market and strengthen its presence on the international stage. "Programs like ABR provide comprehensive and complete guidelines for fiber production within responsible parameters," he concludes.

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