Latin America’s Cotton Industry Drives Growth and Sustainability
The October 2025 issue of ICAC’s Cotton Review spotlights Brazil’s exports, Argentina’s sustainability efforts, and Paraguay’s production revival.
The latest Cotton Review examines how Latin America’s cotton industry is advancing sustainability and productivity, with Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay leading regional transformation.
The October 2025 edition of Cotton: Review of the World Situation offers an in-depth analysis of Latin America’s dynamic cotton landscape, spotlighting Brazil’s dominance in exports, Argentina’s sustainability efforts, and Paraguay’s steady production recovery. Together, these developments mark a new era of resilience and responsibility across the region’s cotton value chain.
The publication’s lead article, authored by Silmara S. Ferraresi, Director of Institutional Relations at Abrapa, explores Brazil’s comprehensive sustainability and traceability systems — the Sistema Abrapa de Identificação (SAI) and the Responsible Brazilian Cotton (Algodão Brasileiro Responsável – ABR) program — as well as the SouABR initiative that promotes traceable and responsible cotton.
From Argentina, Alejandro Clot and Tomas Mata of Algodón Responsable Argentino (ARA) share insights into the country’s efforts to enhance sustainability and territorial development. Their article details collaborative work between farmers, ginners, textile producers, and public-private partners to improve environmental performance, traceability, and value creation.
In a co-authored piece, Lorena Ruiz, Economist at ICAC and Editor of the Review, and Oliver Wiebe of the Chortitzer Cooperative discuss Paraguay’s remarkable recovery. After reaching a historic low of just 4,160 tonnes of lint in 2020, the country has now achieved multiple consecutive years of sustained cotton output growth.
Another feature focuses on Fundación IdeaAgro (IDEAGRO Foundation), founded in 2021 through the joint efforts of the Chortitzer, Fernheim, and Neuland cooperatives. The foundation serves as a hub for applied research, technology transfer, and laboratory services in Paraguay’s Chaco region. The issue concludes with a contribution from HM Semillas, showcasing the quality, adaptability, and traceability of its seed varieties cultivated across the Chaco.
The October 2025 issue of Cotton: Review of the World Situation is available for free access online.