Pakistan ranks among top buyers as Brazil's cotton exports hit record 3 million tonnes
Pakistan imported nearly 56,000 tonnes of Brazilian cotton in May as Brazil achieved a record export milestone
Haris Zamir
Business Editor
Experience of almost 33 years where started the journey of financial journalism from Business Recorder in 1992. From 2006 onwards attached with Television Media worked at Sun Tv, Dawn Tv, Geo Tv and Dunya Tv. During the period also worked as a stringer for Bloomberg for seven years and Dow Jones for five years. Also wrote articles for several highly acclaimed periodicals like the Newsline, Pakistan Gulf Economist and Money Matters (The News publications)
Brazil's cotton exports hit a record 3 million tonnes, with Pakistan among the leading buyers
Pakistan remained one of the largest buyers of Brazilian cotton as Brazil's exports surpassed 3 million tonnes for the first time during the first 10 months of the 2025-26 marketing year, underscoring strengthening trade ties between the two countries.
According to the latest Cotton Brazil Report released by the Brazilian Cotton Growers Association (Abrapa), Brazil exported 3.002 million tonnes of cotton between August 2025 and May 2026, an increase of 16.6% from the same period a year earlier, despite two months remaining in the marketing year.
Pakistan among top destinations in May
Pakistan imported 55,769 tonnes of Brazilian cotton in May 2026, making it the second-largest destination for Brazilian shipments during the month after Bangladesh.
Brazil exported 291,100 tonnes of cotton in May, up 51.5% from the same month last year, generating USD 449.6 million in export earnings.
Bangladesh imported 61,902 tonnes, accounting for 21% of total May exports, while Pakistan purchased 19% of shipments. Turkey ranked third with 40,183 tonnes, representing 14%.
Combined, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Turkey imported 157,854 tonnes, or 54% of Brazil's total cotton exports in May.
Brazil sets export milestone
The report said Brazil became the first country to export more than 3 million tonnes of cotton during the first 10 months of a marketing year, cementing its position as the world's largest cotton exporter.
During the August 2025-May 2026 period, China remained the largest importer of Brazilian cotton, purchasing 753,244 tonnes, or 25% of total exports.
Bangladesh ranked second with 506,727 tonnes (17%), followed by Turkey with 376,561 tonnes (13%). Together, the three countries accounted for 54.5% of Brazil's cumulative cotton exports during the marketing year.
Brazil forecasts smaller 2026 crop
Despite record exports, Abrapa lowered its outlook for Brazil's 2026 cotton crop.
The association now expects planted area to decline 7.8% year on year to 2 million hectares, while production is projected to fall 8.2% to 3.9 million tonnes.
Average cotton yields are forecast at 1,954 kilograms per hectare, slightly below last year's level.
Cotton prices remain firm
The report said Brazil's domestic Cepea/Esalq cotton price indicator averaged 84.7 U.S. cents per pound in May, while ICE New York cotton futures averaged 81.7 U.S. cents per pound.
Both domestic and international cotton prices remained above their respective 12-month averages.
Brazil expands trade outreach in Asia
Abrapa said Cotton Brazil intensified its engagement with Asian textile markets through trade missions to China and Vietnam in June.
The Brazilian delegation participated in the 2026 China Cotton Industry Development Summit in Chongqing and organized Cotton Brazil Outlook events in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to strengthen commercial ties and promote Brazilian cotton's quality, traceability and reliability among major Asian textile manufacturers.
The report said the initiatives are intended to reinforce Brazil's position as a competitive supplier to key global cotton-consuming markets, including Pakistan, Bangladesh and other Asian textile producers.
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