Brazilian cotton is highlighted at an event in Germany.

At a time when the textile industry is intensifying its search for more transparent and responsible supply chains, the Brazilian Cotton Producers Association (Abrapa) is participating in the 38th Bremen International Cotton Conference in Germany, from March 25th to 27th. The association highlights its role in advancing global sustainability and traceability agendas. Considered one of the most relevant global forums in the sector, the event brings together experts and leaders from across the cotton value chain to discuss the future of the industry. In this context, Abrapa's participation reinforces the country's position as one of the world's leading cotton origins, combining technological advances with transparency throughout its production chain. "Brazilian cotton has evolved to meet a new global standard, which demands not only quality and productivity, but also transparency, traceability and solid socio-environmental commitments. Our presence at the Bremen Conference reflects this continuous effort to build trust and strengthen connections throughout the global textile value chain," said Gustavo Piccoli, president of Abrapa. As part of the program, Abrapa will participate in three strategic sessions, covering topics ranging from fiber quality and testing to the dynamics of the global market and the growing demand for transparency in the textile value chain. :: Cotton Quality and Testing The session "Cotton Quality and Testing" focuses on fiber quality and evaluation methods. The panel includes experts such as Mourad Krifa, from Kent State University, and Müge Ekizoğlu, from Izmir Commodity Exchange, as well as Brazilian Deninson Lima, Abrapa's quality manager, who will present the advancements in cotton based on analyses performed using HVI instruments in the country. Lima emphasizes the importance of evaluating measurement uncertainty in HVI instruments for laboratory standardization and its positive impact on Brazilian cotton in terms of quality and market positioning. "As a requirement of the ISO 17025 standard, this process is very important because it offers a global view of the system and helps identify areas for improvement. This allows for the standardization of procedures among laboratories, not only in Brazil, but throughout the world," notes Lima. :: Beyond the Bale: the history of the market In "Economics – Beyond the Bale: the history of the market," discussions revolve around the economic landscape of the sector. The session brings together speakers such as Marcelo Duarte, Director of International Relations at Abrapa, along with representatives from organizations such as Cotton Incorporated and Cotlook, who analyze recent trends in global production, trade, and consumption. "Understanding the cotton market today requires looking beyond production volumes. It's about connecting supply, demand, trade flows, and, increasingly, the expectations of transparency and sustainability that are reshaping global consumption patterns," said Duarte. :: Traceable Cotton, Transparent Supply Chain Finally, the session "Traceable Cotton. Transparent Supply Chain" addresses traceability and transparency throughout the supply chain. Highlights include a presentation by Haroldo Cunha, former president of Abrapa and current president of the Goiana Cotton Producers Association (Agopa), on the SouABR program, alongside international experts such as Terry Townsend, Katharina Schaus, and Pramod Sonune, who will discuss challenges and advances in building more transparent supply chains. "Brazil has been a pioneer in cotton traceability, and this leadership has allowed the development of the SouABR program, which makes it possible to trace the code of a garment back to its origin on the farm. This means connecting each stage of the chain with transparency and reliability, meeting the growing global demand for verifiable and secure information," said Haroldo Cunha. :: Cotton Appreciation Movement in Brazil To explain how Brazil remains one of the largest consumers of domestic cotton, even with the high competitiveness of synthetic fibers, the Abrapa delegation will also present the "Sou de Algodão" (I'm from Cotton) movement at the conference. This initiative promotes cotton in Brazil as a case study in communication and engagement with end consumers and the textile industry. According to Silmara Ferraresi, Abrapa's Director of Institutional Relations and manager of the movement, the presence of "Sou de Algodão" at the international meeting reinforces the role of promotion as a tool for connecting the different links in the chain. "Events like the Bremen Conference are tactical spaces to share experiences and broaden the international dialogue on responsibility and innovation in the textile sector," explains the director. For Ferraresi, communication and transparency can bring consumers closer to the origins of the fiber and value the work done in the field, and "Sou de Algodão" appears as a successful example in this area. :: Brazil in Bremen For the event organizers, Abrapa's participation in the meeting reaffirms Brazil's leading position in the international cotton chain. According to the Conference Director, Axel Drieling, “Brazil is one of the most important players in the cotton industry and has become even more significant in recent years.” Drieling also explained that Brazil stands out for its production of high-quality cotton through the use of cutting-edge technology for the analysis and improvement of the produced fiber. The country's pioneering role in developing complete traceability of the cotton chain of custody was another point cited by the director, who also stated that “Brazil's participation in the Bremen International Cotton Conference is definitely a gain for the event.” 

This text was translated by machine from Brazilian Portuguese.