Brazil's ANEA Offers Membership to Traders Around the Globe

By Jim.Robinson|July 29, 2010

It’s no secret that Brazil has big plans for expanding its role on the international cotton industry stage, and the country’s National Association of Cotton Exporters—better known as ANEA—is taking the next step in that process by offering membership to cotton traders around the globe.

“Any cotton trading company that buys Brazilian cotton can join our organization,” ANEA President Marcelo Escorel tells Cotton International. “Our organization has good contact with the Brazilian government and can help members better understand our bureaucracy. As exporters, we understand the day-to-day life of local cotton growers, and we felt there was a gap between Brazilian producers and international companies with their own cultures. We would like to help both parties to bridge that gap.”

One of ANEA’s biggest achievements was the formation of its Ethics Cotton Council in 2007. It was created to maintain contract sanctity and help companies avoid legal action by finding solutions to contract disputes domestically. Its efforts to pave the way for smoother cotton trading are already paying dividends. “Brazilian exports are healthy and they will continue to grow in the near future,” Escorel says. “Honestly, our intention is to make all of the players’ lives a little bit easier and help them avoid potential problems. But we are not the answer to anybody´s prayers. The only way to succeed is to work hard and know your market.”

Success is definitely in ANEA’s plans, and Escorel minces no words when asked where Brazil will stand on the world cotton stage once the South American nation reaches its full production potential. “We are going to be number one,” he says. “If it doesn’t happen in five years, it will happen in 10 years. You will see it happening for sure.”