Jun 16, 2023
Cotton Farmers in Brazil Optimistic About 2022/23 Production
Author: Michael Cordonnier/Soybean & Corn Advisor, Inc.
Cotton farmers in Brazil are optimistic as the 2022/23 cotton harvest gets underway. Conab estimates that 14.9% of the cotton is forming bolls and 84.2% is maturing. In the seven major producing states, cotton was 0.9% harvested as of June 10th compared to 1.5% last year. The 2023 cotton crop is showing good development and production is expected to be robust with excellent quality.
Brazil planted 1.63 million hectares of cotton in 2022/23 (4.02 million acres), which was up 2.2% compared to last year. Conab is estimating that Brazil will produce 2.97 million tons of fiber in 2022/23, which would be an increase of 16.6% compared to last year.
Mato Grosso is the largest cotton producing state in Brazil and nearly all the cotton in the state is produced as safrinha production which is planted after soybeans are harvested. The cotton in Mato Grosso was planted in January and February, so it matures later than in other states where cotton is planted as the first crop. The cotton harvest in Mato Grosso should start sometime in July.
Bahia is the second largest cotton producing state in Brazil and the cotton is 4% harvested compared to 6.6% last year. The harvest has started for the dryland cotton in the state, whereas the irrigated cotton is in boll formation. Farmers are expecting optimum quality this year.
In Mato Grosso do Sul, the cotton is 4% harvested compared to 6% last year. The cotton harvest in Goias is 1% compared to 1% last year. The crop is more advanced in eastern Goias and the crop in general is in good condition and farmers are expecting robust production.
In Minas Gerais, the cotton is in good condition and the crop is 3% harvested compared to 8% last year.