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In 2024, Brazil surpassed the United States in cotton production and exports for the first time on record. Brazil's MY2024/25 planted area is also estimated to reach a new record. Favorable prices compared to corn as well as lower production costs have boosted cotton's profitability, making it the preferred choice for second crop planting.

In marketing year (MY) 2024/25, Post forecasts cotton acreage and production slightly lower at 45,000 hectares and 153,000 bales, due to heavy rain in some cotton growing districts during the seed sowing period. For MY 2024/25, Post also forecasts...

Post revised up Brazil’s MY 2024/25 cotton production forecast to 16.6 million 480lb bales (3.6 million metric tons (MMT)), an 11 percent increase compared to the previous MY. The main drivers behind this record output are a forecasted area increase (revised up to 1.94 million hectares), and better-than-anticipated yields across key producing states.

Post forecasts an increase in marketing year (MY) 2024/25 cotton imports on higher global demand for ready-made garments. Despite Bangladesh’s economic challenges, Post maintains MY 2023/24 cotton imports at 7.5 million bales, on lower yarn and fabric imports.

For MY 2024/25, Post forecasts cotton area to grow 13 percent compared to the current season, to 1.87 million hectares. Post also forecasts cotton production at a record 15.4 million bales (3.3 million metric tons (MMT)) on the back of significant area increase.

Following USDA’s revision of Brazil’s cotton balance sheet, production estimates moved one year ahead, meaning that Marketing Year (MY) 2023/24 cotton is equivalent to production bales entering the market in 2023, and not 2024. Post maintained its...

Post lowers the forecast for marketing year (MY) 2023/24 raw cotton imports to 7.5 million bales on lower work orders for garments coupled with Bangladesh’s economic challenges including declining foreign exchange reserves. The export value of ready...

Post increased the forecast for 2023/24 cotton area planted to 1.67 million hectares (ha), an increase of just under one percent from the 1.66 million ha cotton area estimate for 2022/23.

On May 17, 2023 the Bangladesh Ministry of Agriculture published a special regulatory order amending the Plant Quarantine Rules 2018, thereby allowing the importation of U.S. cotton into Bangladesh without fumigation on-arrival.

For marketing year (MY) 2023/24, Post forecasts cotton imports at 8.5 million bales. Post reduced its MY 2022/23 cotton import and consumption estimates on high global prices, slowdown of the Bangladeshi economy, and production disruptions due to power shortages.

Post forecasts 2022/23 planted cotton area at 1.66 million hectares (ha), with production at 13.3 million bales (2.89 million metric tons, MMT), about a 13 percent increase from the 2021/22 estimated production of 11.52 million bales (2.5 MMT). Cotton area is forecast to rise because of favorable weather leading to timely first-season soybean planting and improved yields, as well as a favorable outlook for prices and profitability.

For marketing year (MY) 2022/23, Post forecasts cotton harvested area and production at 45 thousand hectares and 153 thousand bales, respectively. Post reduced Bangladesh’s cotton import forecast for MY 2022/23 to 8 million bales on high international raw cotton prices, reduced garment production due to a domestic power shortage, and the slowdown of the world economy.