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Soars 160.1%! Brazil’s cotton exports surged in the first half of 2026, with China rising to become the largest buyer

In the first half of 2026, the global cotton trade pattern is undergoing significant changes. From January to June 2026, Brazil’s raw cotton export value increased by 12.5% year-on-year, reaching a total of 2.793 billion USD. Among these exports, shipments to China performed exceptionally well, soaring to 608 million USD, a year-on-year increase of 160.1%. China has surpassed many countries to become Brazil’s largest cotton export market, reshaping the previous map of Asian cotton textile procurement.
According to the supply chain intelligence tool TexPro, in the first half of the year, China’s share of Brazil’s cotton exports doubled, jumping from the fifth-largest procurement destination in the same period of previous years to the top position. Brazilian cotton, with its stable supply, price advantages, high-quality fiber, and complete traceable certification system, aligns closely with the material needs of domestic textile enterprises, becoming an important supplementary source for domestic cotton imports.

Among the major Asian purchasing countries, Bangladesh firmly remains the second-largest market for Brazilian cotton. In the first half of 2026, Brazil’s exports to Bangladesh increased by 18.9% year-on-year, driven by the continued expansion of the local textile and spinning industries, resulting in strong demand for raw material procurement and a sustained growth in Brazilian cotton imports. The Turkish market has remained generally stable, with a slight increase in import value, but due to the rapid expansion of Brazil’s total cotton exports, Turkey’s market share in Brazilian cotton exports has declined.

The most significant changes in market patterns come from Pakistan and Vietnam. Pakistan, which was the largest importer of Brazilian cotton in the first half of last year, fell to fourth place in the first half of 2026, with a noticeable decline in import value and a substantial contraction in market share. Vietnam similarly experienced weakened demand, as its imports of Brazilian cotton declined year-on-year, leading to a continuous reduction in its share of Brazil’s overseas exports. The top five import markets still account for the vast majority of Brazilian cotton exports, highlighting a pronounced divergence in demand within the Asian market.

Why has China’s procurement of Brazilian cotton experienced explosive growth?

On one hand, the domestic textile industry has maintained operational resilience, resulting in a rigid demand gap for high-quality foreign cotton; on the other hand, Brazil has implemented responsible cotton certification and a complete batch-by-batch traceability system, which can meet the ESG traceability requirements of downstream brand supply chains, creating differentiated competitiveness compared to other cotton-producing countries. Meanwhile, imports from Pakistan and Vietnam have declined, largely due to pressure on local yarn exports, inventory adjustments, and a shift to sourcing cotton from other origins.

Industry organizations predict that in the 2026-27 marketing year, Brazil will remain the world’s largest cotton exporter. However, the market also faces uncertainties, as global cotton price fluctuations and the pace of textile consumption recovery in various countries will influence the direction of subsequent orders.

For the domestic industry chain, the substantial increase in Brazilian cotton imports has diversified China’s cotton supply sources, helping to mitigate the risks associated with relying on a single source. Nevertheless, textile enterprises still need to closely monitor weather conditions in Brazilian cotton-growing regions and international cotton price movements, and make proper plans for raw material inventory and procurement schedules. Looking at Asia as a whole, the prosperity of textile industries varies across countries, and the future export flow of Brazilian cotton will continue to be dynamically adjusted.
Post time: Aug-24-2026