Cotton
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.
Major Player
Active Worldwide
Expanding Cotton Origination
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.
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 & Produce
01Originate & Produce
02Process & Refine
02Process & Refine
03Store & Transport
03Store & Transport
04Research & Merchandize
04Research & Merchandize
05Customize & distribute
05Customize & distribute
01Originate & Produce
01Originate & Produce
02Process & Refine
02Process & Refine
03Store & Transport
03Store & Transport
04Research & Merchandize
04Research & Merchandize
05Customize & distribute
05Customize & distribute
Our Strengths
Through solid business relationships with both suppliers and customers, and a presence in all key producing markets, our Cotton business has steadily built up its volumes and reputation as a responsible cotton supplier.
In addition to our leading positions in the US and China, we are also leaders for domestic and international merchandizing in South America. We continue to strengthen our core merchandizing business through expansion of our logistics network in key origination countries, such as the US, Brazil and Australia. In recent years, we expanded use of rail for exports and diversified port operations in Brazil. In Argentina, upgrades to our Quimilí cotton ginning plant significantly increased annual processing capacity, while enabling full utilization of seed cotton and its by-products in line with our sustainability goals. Importantly, we also expanded our operations in Australia with the acquisition of Namoi Cotton Limited, the country’s leading cotton processing and supply chain company.
Our skill at monitoring and managing supply and demand fundamentals is one of our key competitive advantages, and our risk management and research expertise allows us to successfully navigate complex and volatile trading environments.
On call 24/7 around the world for business, we provide timely delivery programs for spinning mills across the globe, made possible through strategic relationships with producers and a global network of trading offices and logistic assets.
Committed to Sustainable Cotton
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.
Meet Our People
