Better Cotton Reports Progress On Action Plan For Brazil’s Matopiba Region

Better Cotton has reported significant progress in its action plan to address sustainability challenges in Brazil’s Matopiba region, following concerns raised in an April 2024 report. The report highlighted issues related to land use, deforestation and community impact linked to Better Cotton licensed farms in Bahia.

While none of the licensed farms were found to have breached field-level standards, Better Cotton recognized the broader risks posed by the expansion of multi-crop agri-businesses and committed to addressing these challenges through a structured action plan introduced in June 2024.

Over the past six months, Better Cotton has made meaningful progress across four key areas: engaging local communities, conducting due diligence at the agri-business level, collaborating with a multi-stakeholder network, and realigning standards with ABRAPA (Brazilian Cotton Growers’ Association). To strengthen community engagement, Better Cotton worked closely with ABRAPA to develop new indicators under the Algodão Brasileira Responsável (ABR) Programme.

These indicators focus on establishing communication channels between businesses and local communities, implementing measures to address environmental and social concerns, and streamlining conflict resolution processes. These indicators will be enforced this year, alongside efforts to promote local hiring and training.

Better Cotton is also strengthening its due diligence framework for large agri-businesses in Brazil to better anticipate, prevent and mitigate environmental and social risks. A newly established working group, including representatives from Better Cotton, ABRAPA, and growers, is reviewing the existing framework. Three agri-businesses have been selected to pilot the updated framework, with support from an independent consultancy. Insights from the pilot will inform further refinements before the framework is rolled out to other agri-businesses.

Collaboration with industry stakeholders remains a priority for Better Cotton. On March 26, 2025, Better Cotton will host its first multi-stakeholder meeting to strengthen partnerships and explore socio-environmental risks in cotton production. Senior Better Cotton staff will lead the meeting, which is expected to lay the foundation for long-term cooperation and cross-sector learning.

In addition, Better Cotton has extended its strategic recognition agreement with ABRAPA until October 31, 2025, as both organizations work towards finalizing a long-term agreement. This extension reflects renewed alignment with Better Cotton’s field-level standards. A new land conversion indicator will be trialed through audits to assess its effectiveness, and enhanced due diligence efforts will be piloted and refined with ABRAPA’s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Committee.

Better Cotton remains committed to driving sustainable change in the Matopiba region through improved community engagement, stronger due diligence and deeper collaboration with industry partners.