Cotton growing is one of the most representative activities in Brazilian agribusiness. As well as supplying the textile industry, it plays a crucial role in the country's trade balance, having positioned Brazil as the world's largest cotton exporter for the first time. Each harvest, the adoption of technologies, such as the use of treated seeds, more efficient handling and traceability systems, reinforces the country's prominence in this global scenario.
In this article, you will learn how cotton is grown in Brazil, the best practices for cultivation, where the main plantations are located and curiosities about planting colored cotton, a model that is more sustainable and valued by the market.
What is the name of the cotton plantation?
Cotton growing is technically called cotton farming. Cultivation requires technical knowledge, planning and technologies adapted to the Brazilian reality, which are essential for its prominent position.
How is cotton planted?
Planting cotton seed is a crucial stage in the success of the crop, requiring precision at every stage. Adopting quality seeds has proven to be an effective strategy, and can lead to the establishment of more vigorous crops, higher productivity and better fiber yields.
Seed choice and treatment
The selection of quality seeds is essential when growing cotton. Using treated seeds offers protection against pests and diseases in the early stages of development and can help reduce the use of chemical pesticides during the initial establishment of the crop.
To this end, the use of fungicides and insecticides in the treatment is essential, as is the use of solutions such as LabFix® polymers and LabSec® drying powders to improve the adherence and drying of the applied products, which also contributes to the greater plantability of the seeds. This practice helps to improve plantability and minimize losses.
Soil preparation
Well-prepared soil is essential for the proper development of cotton plantations. Preparation practices must be defined according to the type of soil and its physical characteristics, such as degree of compaction and composition, as well as its nutritional condition.
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For this reason, it is essential to carry out a soil analysis before planting the crop, in order to identify correction needs and define fertilizer recommendations. Soil preparation methods can be classified mainly as: conventional, minimum tillage and no-till.
Sowing
The ideal time to plant cotton varies depending on the region. It is crucial that the soil has adequate moisture and that the minimum temperature is favorable for efficient germination. Sowing should be done evenly, respecting the ideal spacing.
Where is cotton grown in Brazil?
Cotton plantations in Brazil are geographically distributed, especially in the Brazilian Cerrado, where the climate and soil favor large-scale cultivation. The main producing states are:
- Mato Grosso: absolute leader in national production.
- Bahia: second largest cultivated area.
- Mato Grosso do Sul, Goiás, Maranhão, Piauí and Tocantins: growing participation.
Around 92% of crops are rainfed, using only rainwater, which reduces costs and environmental impact.
Cotton plantations in Brazil: evolution and economic importance
Cotton growing in Brazil has evolved strongly in recent decades. Once concentrated in the Northeast, production has migrated to the Center-West and North, where there are flat areas and an ideal climate. The country is responsible for 36% of the world's sustainable cotton plantations, according to data from the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI).
National production data
In the 2024/25 harvest, Brazil became the world's leading cotton exporter for the first time, accounting for around 30% of global sales. This performance consolidates the country's position as one of the main suppliers of the fiber on the international market.
+ READ MORE: Seed treatmentthe technology transforming agriculture
Domestically, cotton consumption is around 720,000 to 750,000 tons a year, and the textile sector is working towards the goal of increasing this volume to 1 million tons, strengthening the domestic industry and reducing dependence on the foreign market.
Colored cotton: what it is and what its advantages are
Cotton fibers can be naturally white or colored.Naturally colored cotton has existed in nature for thousands of years, being as old as white cotton, and can be found in a few different shades.
+ READ MORE: Cotton seed: how efficient planting and treatment boost production in Brazil
This natural coloring of the fiber is very important because it eliminates the need for industrial dyeing processes for yarns or fabrics made from it, saving natural resources such as water, the use of dyes and other inputs.
What is colored cotton?
This is cotton in which its fibers grow naturally colored, in shades such as:
- Brown
- Beige
- Green
- Light red
This type of cotton did not have the ideal fiber characteristics for industrialization to make yarns and fabrics, so it was the focus of research carried out by institutions such as Embrapa to work on the genetic improvement of these materials, developing new cultivars of colored cotton with higher quality and maintaining the natural color of the fibers.
Where to plant
- States in the Northeast are a reference: Paraíba, Pernambuco, Ceará, Piauí, Sergipe, Alagoas.
- There are also projects in the Midwest, focusing on family farming and agroecology.
Benefits of colored cotton
- Avoids the use of dyes and chemicals.
- Reduces water consumption (since it can eliminate the need to dye fibers, a process that consumes large amounts of water).
- Because it has no dyes, colored cotton is hypoallergenic.
- Ideal for use on products and brands with an ecological appeal.
Cotton seed treatment: protection and performance from the start
Seed treatment protects the crop in the early stages of cultivation, influencing the establishment and development of the plant stand and the sustainability of the system.
How does the treatment work?
Seed treatment is an essential practice involving the application of various products to protect plants:
Fungicides
They protect against fungal diseases such as seedling tipping and root rot, promoting uniform and vigorous growth.
Insecticides
They create a barrier against initial pests such as caterpillars, which can cause severe damage in the first few days after germination, preserving the crop's productive potential.
These components, when applied correctly, contribute to the success and sustainability of the crop due to better initial crop establishment.
Complementary technologies
In addition to the inputs used in seed treatment, there are complementary technologies that further optimize the performance of seed covering and sowing.
Film coating: protection and adhesion
Film coating is a technology that consists of using two products: a polymer and a drying powder. The use of the polymer consists of applying a thin, uniform film to the seed. This film ensures that the products used in the treatment adhere well, reducing losses during transportation and handling. The use of drying powder acts directly on the drying of the seeds after treatment, as well as enabling gains in fluidity and improving the distribution of the seeds in the soil, contributing to more precise planting.
Solutions that maximize plantability
Products such as LabFix G5 Platinum® and LabSec Superfluid Graf®, developed by Laborsan Agro, are allies in professional seed treatment. LabFix G5 Platinum® is an exclusively formulated polymer with flow additives that coats the seed treatment film and preserves its benefits until planting, while LabSec® is a drying powder that guarantees quick drying, greater fluidity and plantability.
