ICAC Issues the Final Statement from Its 83rd Plenary Meeting in Bremen, Germany

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date Posted: April 23, 2026

Washington, DC - The International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) held its 83rd Plenary Meeting in Bremen, Germany, on March 23-24, 2026. Hosted at the Bremen Parliament Building, the meeting brought together government delegates, international organizations, and private sector stakeholders to address critical challenges and opportunities in the global cotton and textile industries. The event was organized on short notice through the collaborative efforts of the European Union, the Federal Republic of Germany, and the Bremen Cotton Exchange, reflecting the resilience and commitment of the international cotton community.

The Final Statement from the ICAC's 83rd Plenary Meeting

Executive Director's Report
Executive Director Eric Trachtenberg highlighted the ICAC's strategic shift toward regenerative agriculture, investment promotion, proactive advocacy and innovation to support the global cotton economy. The report emphasized that while the industry faces pressures from climate change and synthetic fiber competition, cotton remains a vital catalyst to support rural economic transformation and global sustainability. Key priorities for the Secretariat include boosting yields through agricultural technology, making cotton a central part of the climate solution through carbon innovations, and ensuring the industry's story is told accurately to global stakeholders.

Government Reports
Several member countries shared updates on production trends, policy developments, and sector challenges. Discussions highlighted the continued importance of smallholder farmer prosperity, the need for improved productivity and resilience, and the increasing pressure from rising input costs and climate variability. Delegates also emphasized the importance of strengthening domestic value addition and improving market access overseas to ensure sustainable sector growth.

Secretariat Reports
The Secretariat presented updates on its analytical work, technical activities, and strategic priorities. Key areas included improvements in data systems, ongoing research initiatives, and expanded engagement with stakeholders across the cotton and textiles ecosystem. The Secretariat also highlighted efforts to align its work with evolving global priorities, particularly sustainability, climate resilience, and value chain integration.

World Cotton Market Outlook: The Secretariat reported that world cotton production for the 2026/27 season is projected to decline by 4% to 24.9 million tonnes, primarily due to lower prices and weaker demand from major markets. While China and India continue to lead global production, significant reductions are expected in Brazil and Australia. Consumption is projected to remain stable at approximately 25 million tonnes, though planting intentions in the United States suggest a shift toward competing crops like corn and soybeans.

Communications and Outreach: The Secretariat outlined a robust strategy to combat misinformation and promote cotton's benefits. Notable successes included direct engagement with the World Wildlife Fund, which led to the removal of inaccurate water-use statistics from their website. Ongoing initiatives include the #TruthTuesday campaign and the development of "The Book of Cotton," a non-technical publication designed to explain cotton's social and environmental value to a general audience. The Secretariat also announced a planned video project, "A World Without Cotton," to illustrate the global consequences of losing the natural fiber industry.

Facilitating Investment in Emerging Markets: Discussions focused on the necessity of integrated textile manufacturing ecosystems. Highlights included India's PM MITRA initiative and the potential for Africa to close policy gaps by linking cotton production directly to downstream garment manufacturing. Participants emphasized that while sustainability investments are essential, they require greater financial support from global brands and retailers to ensure profitability for smallholder farmers.

National Textiles Policies: This session examined how policy frameworks can drive innovation and competitiveness. Panelists addressed the evolving regulatory landscape, including EU restrictions on textile waste and the increasing importance of supply chain traceability. The session concluded that national policies must balance innovation with accessibility, which is particularly important for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Technical Seminar: AI and Sensor Technologies: The 2026 Technical Seminar focused on "Deep Learning and Sensor Technologies for Automated Detection and Monitoring of Cotton Diseases and Insect Pests." Experts presented advances in AI-enabled pest monitoring, such as the Cotton Microclimate and Insect Monitoring System (C-MIMS). The seminar highlighted a case study on jassid infestations in Egypt, illustrating how early detection through digital tools can prevent catastrophic crop loss. The session underscored the importance of integrating these high-tech solutions into existing Integrated Pest Management (IPM) frameworks.

Steering Committee Decisions
The Steering Committee addressed several administrative and strategic matters:

• Election of Officers: Mr. Shreyans Gupta (India) was elected as Chair of the Standing Committee for 2026/27, with Mr. Igor Moreira Moraes (Brazil) elected as Vice-Chair.
• 2027 Technical Seminar Topic: The Committee selected "Climate-resilient cotton varieties" as the core topic for the next technical seminar.
• Membership and Assessments: The Committee reviewed outstanding member assessments and emphasized that timely contributions are vital to maintaining ICAC's financial stability and its ability to serve the global sector.

Key Themes and Outcomes
Across all sessions, several overarching themes emerged:

• Sustainability as a central priority

There is increasing alignment around the need for environmentally sustainable and socially responsible cotton production, including regenerative practices that can result in positive environmental impacts and advance the vision of cotton as a carbon negative fiber.

• Value chain integration

Strengthening linkages from production to final products remains critical to improving competitiveness, capturing greater economic value, and creating high-quality employment in the cotton and textile economy.

• Traceability and transparency

Growing regulatory and market demands are accelerating the adoption of traceability systems, certification schemes, and digital solutions.

• Climate resilience and innovation

Investment in research, technology, and climate-resilient production systems is essential to ensure the long-term viability of the sector.

• Global advocacy and demand creation

Delegates highlighted the need for coordinated efforts to promote cotton's benefits to consumers, brands, policymakers, and the textile sector to address competition from synthetic fibers.

• Financial sustainability of ICAC

The organization is aggressively pursuing diversified funding models beyond reliance on country assessment payments to ensure continuity of its core functions and set the stage for expanded impact in the future.

Recognition of the Host: The Committee expressed its profound gratitude to the European Union, the Bremen Cotton Exchange, and the Government of Germany for their hospitality and professional organization. Special recognition was given to the technical and administrative staff whose efforts ensured the success of the 83rd Plenary Meeting under unique circumstances.

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About the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC)
Formed in 1939, the ICAC is an association of cotton producing, consuming and trading countries. It acts as a catalyst for change by helping member countries maintain a healthy world cotton economy; provides transparency to the world cotton market by serving as a clearinghouse for technical information on cotton production; and serves as a forum for discussing cotton issues of international significance. In addition, members can take advantage of the ICAC's global network of cotton researchers, whose expertise covers the supply chain from farm to textile manufacturing, and have free access to its cutting-edge technologies like the voice-based app and virtual technology cotton training program. Committed to ensuring cotton's continued sustainability, the ICAC is the only intergovernmental commodity body covering cotton that is recognized by the United Nations. For more information, please visit www.icac.org, Twitter, or LinkedIn.