Business Lines

Cotton

Global Highlights

LDC entered the global cotton business 40 years ago, and has grown to be a world leader in cotton merchandizing, serving all major consumer markets today

From Field to Fabric

Active Worldwide

We source cotton from Africa, Australia, Brazil, China, India, Pakistan, the US and other key producing regions

Major Player

We are a leading originator of US, Brazilian and Australian cotton

Expanding Cotton Origination

Strengthening logistics in the US, Brazil, and Australia

About Cotton

Cotton is a bulk staple fiber produced from the cotton plant, used as the primary raw material for textiles all over the globe. It is grown in tropical and subtropical regions, within latitudes with long frost-free periods of 150 days or more, in a year.

Asia is key region for both cotton production and consumption. Together, China and India produce and consume about half of the world’s cotton. China is a large importer, along with Bangladesh and Vietnam.

Brazil is the world’s largest exporter and third-largest producer, and the US is the second-largest exporter and fourth-largest producer, with remaining global production spread among more than 50 other countries.

Discover our products

Our Cotton Value Chain

Each of our business lines is integrating further across the five steps of our value chain, as we respond to the need for a traceable and responsible supply line from farmer to consumer

01Originate

We share our expertise with farmers and producers worldwide, ourselves or with business partners and expert organizations, as part of our commitment to responsible, sustainable and traceable supply chains

02Process & Refine

Once bought or harvested, we bring crops to our assets for the next stage in their journey. These are ethically and sustainably processed and refined, coming one step closer to the consumer.

03Store & Transport

Our strategically located network of silos, warehouses, transloading facilities and ports allows us facilitate access to market for local farmers around the globe and enable us to control costs and mitigate risk throughout the product journey

04Research & Merchandize

Our depth of marketing and merchandizing experience is our greatest strength. All our platforms and regions rely on our market knowledge to ensure responsive supply.

05Customize & Distribute

We supply products to a wide range of customers, from large multinationals to local manufacturers and retailers

01Originate

02Process & Refine

Once bought or harvested, we bring crops to our assets for the next stage in their journey. These are ethically and sustainably processed and refined, coming one step closer to the consumer.

03Store & Transport

04Research & Merchandize

Our depth of marketing and merchandizing experience is our greatest strength. All our platforms and regions rely on our market knowledge to ensure responsive supply.

05Customize & Distribute

We supply products to a wide range of customers, from large multinationals to local manufacturers and retailers

Our Strengths in Brazil

Our Cotton Platform operates on a large scale in Brazil, through a portfolio of strategically-located storage facilities and trading offices that allows us to build strong relationships with producers and service providers.

Our sales team in São Paulo defines cotton lint origination and marketing strategy, supported by administrative and operational teams in all regional units.

Based on extensive research, sound risk management and strong governance, our business model allows quick, clear, balanced decision-making to maximize opportunities.

Relying on LDC’s expert know-how and global access, our activities are organized to minimize lead times and costs while maintaining supply chain flexibility to meet customer needs.

Active, large-scale player on the Brazilian market
Strong presence in cotton producing regions
Large storage capacity in strategic locations
Port facilities supporting logistics and execution
Technical and analytical expertise in product marketing and handling

Committed to Sustainability

From sourcing certified cotton to promoting best practice within and beyond our value chain, we work proactively toward increasingly sustainable operations and supply chains, both as LDC and in collaboration with partner organizations such as Better Cotton.

With LDC representation on the board, we also continue to help promote and shape the US Cotton Trust Protocol initiative, enrolling more farmers and increasing volumes of Better Cotton purchases.

Sustainable cotton