Mar 11, 2024
Bahia Increases Cotton Acreage by 9.3% in 2023/24
Author: Michael Cordonnier/Soybean & Corn Advisor, Inc.
Cotton producers in the state of Bahia in northeastern Brazil increased their 2023/24 cotton acreage by 9.3%. According to the Cotton Producers Association of Bahia (Abapa), farmers planted 344,400 hectares of cotton (850,660 acres) with approximately 28% irrigated or 96,900 hectares (237120 acres). The planting pace intensified during the second half of January and planting was completed before the ideal planting window closed on February 10th.
Due to irregular rainfall at the start of the planting season, approximately 11.5% of the cotton had to be replanted or 28,000 hectares (69,160 acres). If the weather cooperates going forward, farmers will need to manage the crop to maintain yields equal to previous years. The biggest challenge is to adequately control boll weevils.
The state of Bahia produces approximately one-third of Brazil's cotton and is the second largest cotton producing state in Brazil after Mato Grosso.