According to Conab, cotton cultivation covers 2.14 million hectares in Brazil, making the country one of the world’s leading suppliers of cotton fiber. The crop drives a supply chain that encompasses agricultural production, processing, the textile industry, and exports, while requiring careful planning, technology, and precise management to achieve good results in each harvest.
This comprehensive guide explains how cotton farming works, when the planting season is in each region, where the main cotton fields are located, and what factors influence the outcome of the harvest.
You will also learn about the role of cotton seed treatment, the crop cycle, the main pests and diseases, and the characteristics of colored cotton.
In addition to choosing the area and the cultivar, the grower must consider soil, climate, plant population, and seed quality before beginning to plant.
What is cotton farming, and what is a cotton plantation called?
Cotton farming is technically known ascotton cultivation. This type of farming requires technical expertise, planning, and technologies adapted to the Brazilian context, all of which are essential to its prominent position.
How is cotton planted?
Planting cotton seeds is a critical step for the success of the crop, requiring precision at every stage. The use of high-quality seedshas proven to be an effective strategy, as it can lead to the establishment of a more vigorous crop, higher productivity, and better fiber yield.
Seed choice and treatment
Selecting high-quality seeds is essential for cotton cultivation. Using treated seeds provides protection againstpests and diseases during the early stages of development and can help reduce the use of chemical pesticides during the crop’s initial establishment.
To this end, the use of fungicides and insecticides in treatment is essential, as is the adoption of solutions such as LabFix® polymers and LabSec® drying powders, which help the applied products adhere and dry, while also contributing to greater flowability and plantability of the seeds.
Pelletization, on the other hand, is a specific coating technology that alters the size, weight, and shape of the seed to improve handling and sowing accuracy.
This practice helps improve plantability and minimize losses.
Soil preparation
Well-prepared soil is essential for the proper development of a cotton crop. Soil preparation practices should be determined based on the type of soil and its physical characteristics, such as the degree of compaction and composition, as well as its nutrient status.
Therefore, it is essential to conduct a soil analysis before planting the crop in order to identify any necessary soil amendments and establish fertilization recommendations.
Soil preparation methods can be classified primarily into the following categories: conventional, minimum tillage, and no-till.
Sowing
The ideal time for planting cotton varies by region. It is crucial that the soil has adequate moisture and that the minimum temperature is favorable for efficient germination. Seeding should be done uniformly, adhering to the recommended spacing.
Planting Season: The Seeding Window in Each Region
Farmers do not have the freedom to choose when to plant cotton. Each state establishes the planting window and the quarantine period through agricultural defense regulations.
The sanitary fallow period requires fields to remain free of live cotton plants for a few weeks. This rule breaks the life cycle of the cotton boll weevil, the main pest in Brazilian cotton farming.
In Mato Grosso, the state with the highest number of cases nationwide, the sanitary ban runs from October 1 to November 30 in Region 1 and from October 15 to December 14 in Region 2, in accordance with Indea-MT Normative Instruction 001/2016.
After that, planting is permitted and can take place through February 28. Much of the area is planted immediately after the early soybean harvest, in what is known as the second-crop cotton season.
In western Bahia, the schedule is different. ADAB Ordinance 77/2025 sets the fallow period from September 20 to November 20 and the planting window from November 21 to February 10.
Since about 92% of Brazilian crops are rain-fed, the decision depends on the rain. Planting too early exposes the seed to cold soil; planting too late shortens the growing season before the dry season begins.
Two conditions must be met on the day of sowing: sufficient moisture in the soil profile and a stable minimum temperature to ensure uniform germination.
Missing the planting window can be costly. Crops planted outside the authorized period are subject to a fine and lose the region’s collective health protection.
The dates may be revised each growing season by the state technical committees. Always confirm the current regulations with your state’s agricultural protection agency.
Where is cotton grown in Brazil?
Cotton cultivation in Brazil is geographically widespread, particularly in the Brazilian Cerrado, where the climate and soil are conducive to large-scale farming. 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.
About 92% of the crops are rain-fed, relying exclusively on rainwater, which reduces costs and environmental impact.
Development and Economic Importance
Cotton cultivation in Brazil has grown significantly in recent decades. Previously concentrated in the Northeast, production has shifted to the Midwest and North, where there is an abundance of flat land and ideal climate conditions. The country accounts for 36% of the world’s sustainable cotton cultivation, according to data fromthe 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.
Domestically, cotton consumption ranges from 720,000 to 750,000 metric tons per year, and the textile sector aims to increase this volume to 1 million metric tons, thereby strengthening the domestic industry and reducing dependence on foreign markets.
From planting to harvest: the cotton plant's life cycle
The complete life cycle of the cotton plant lasts 140 to 220 days—that is, four to seven months—depending on the cultivar, climate, and growing conditions.
The first 30 days determine the plant’s growth stage. This is the stage when the seedling is most vulnerable to lodging, early pests, and failure to emerge.
The vegetative phase lasts about 35 to 45 days. Only then do the first flower buds appear, marking the beginning of the reproductive phase.
Each fertilized flower develops into an apple, which ripens and opens up into a bud. The bud is that white structure visible in the orchard when the apples are ready to be harvested.
Inside the boll are the fibers and seeds, which together form ginned cotton—the name of the product harvested from the field before processing.
According to Embrapa Algodão, the water requirement ranges from 600 to 700 millimeters, evenly distributed throughout the growing cycle. Daily water consumption rises from about 2 mm in the early stage to 6 to 9 mm during flowering and boll filling.
Water stress between flowering and fruit set is the most severe: it can cause apples to drop and reduce yields by up to 50%.
Before harvest, a defoliant is applied so that the leaves fall off and do not contaminate the fiber. Then the harvesters come in, which bale the cotton right there in the field.
During processing, ginned cotton is separated into lint and seed. The lint yield varies by cultivar and region, and in Mato Grosso, it is measured monthly at the cotton fields themselves by Imea.
The pit isn't waste. It's turned into oil, meal for animal feed, and seed for the next harvest.
Major Pests and Diseases of the Cotton Plant
The cotton boll weevil is the pest that causes the most concern in Brazilian cotton farming. It attacks flower buds and bolls—that is, the very parts that turn into fiber.
Controlling the weevil is not a matter of individual decision-making. It depends on sanitary fallow periods, the destruction of stumps, and coordinated monitoring among neighboring properties.
Caterpillars such as Spodoptera and Helicoverpa defoliate the plant and bore into its reproductive structures. Weekly monitoring with traps helps determine the optimal time for application.
Whiteflies and aphids suck the sap and excrete sugary substances onto the fiber. The result is honeyed cotton, which loses value during processing.
Among these diseases, ramularia has the greatest impact in Brazil. Lesions begin on the underside of the leaf, where they appear whitish and powdery, and eventually lead to necrosis and defoliation.
The loss of leaf area impairs photosynthesis precisely during the apple filling stage. If left uncontrolled, the disease can reduce yields by up to 35% and further degrade fiber quality.
Target spot and white mold appear in crops with high humidity and may require preventive fungicide treatment in areas with a history of the problem.
In the first few weeks, protection comes from the seed itself. Fungicides and insecticides applied during seed treatment form a barrier against seedling lodging and soil pests.
A well-established crop is less affected by what comes next. Emergency gaps allow weeds to take hold and concentrate pest pressure on the remaining plants.
Colored cotton: what it is and what its advantages are
In cotton cultivation, the fibers can be naturally white or colored, depending on the cotton seed. Naturally colored cotton has existed in nature for thousands of years—it is just as old as white cotton—and comes in a variety of shades.
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?
It is cotton whose fibers are 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 is colored cotton grown?
- 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.
What are the 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 during its early stages, 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
The Brazilian cotton industry has become the world leader in exports thanks to sound technical decisions: adherence to the planting window, coordinated pest management, and well-prepared seed.
Each of these steps depends on the one that came before it. And the first of these—seed treatment—is where Laborsan Agro uses polymers and desiccant powders developed specifically for Brazilian field conditions.
Would you like to evaluate seed treatment for your next cotton crop? Contact our technical team.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions About Cotton Farming
What is the technical term for a cotton plantation?
The commercial cultivation of cotton is called cotton farming. The term encompasses all stages of the process, from soil preparation and cultivar selection to harvesting and fiber processing. Those who work in this field are called cotton farmers.
How long does it take from planting to harvesting cotton?
The complete life cycle of the cotton plant lasts 140 to 220 days—that is, four to seven months—depending on the cultivar, climate, and planting conditions. The vegetative phase lasts about 35 to 45 days, and harvesting takes place when most of the bolls have already opened.
Which state is Brazil's largest cotton producer?
Mato Grosso is the largest producer in Brazil, followed by Bahia. Together, these two states account for most of the cultivated area. Mato Grosso do Sul, Goiás, Maranhão, Piauí, and Tocantins are seeing growing shares of production. In the 2025/26 crop year, the area planted in the country reached 2.14 million hectares, according to Conab.
When is the best time to plant cotton?
It depends on the region and the applicable state regulations. In Mato Grosso, planting is permitted after the fallow period and may take place through February 28, according to IN 001/2016 issued by Indea-MT. In western Bahia, Adab Ordinance 77/2025 sets the planting window from November 21 to February 10.
Is the colored cotton natural or dyed?
It’s natural. The color develops within the fiber itself as the plant grows, in shades of brown, beige, green, and light red. Because it eliminates the need for industrial dyeing, the process saves water, dyes, and energy. Today’s cultivars are the result of genetic improvement conducted by Embrapa.
How much does a cotton crop yield?
Yield is measured in cotton lint—the clean fiber obtained after processing—and varies by cultivar, region, and management practices. For the 2025/26 crop year, Conab projected 4.03 million metric tons of cotton lint in Brazil, grown on 2.14 million hectares, representing a 3.5% decline in productivity compared to the previous crop year.
Why treat cotton seeds before planting?
The treatment protects the seed and seedling during the first few weeks, when the crop is most vulnerable. Fungicides combat lodging and root rot, while insecticides combat early-stage pests. Polymers and drying agents improve the adhesion of the products and the flow of the seeds through the planter.
