Brazil registers significant business volume at Colombiatex 2026
The 35 Brazilian companies present at Colombiatex 2026 with support from Texbrasil (The Brazilian Textile and Fashion Industry Internationalization Program) established over 6,000 business contacts and achieved a business volume of approximately US$ 16 million. It was a new record for this 26th consecutive participation in the event, held in Medellin, Colombia, from January 27 to 29. It is expected that, over the next 12 months, the value of business deals generated at the trade show will exceed US$ 65 million.
Texbrasil is a partnership between Abit (Brazilian Textile and Apparel Industry Association) and ApexBrasil (Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency). In addition to the 35 participants supported by the Program, six other companies from Brazil, in the machinery and equipment industry, exhibited at the trade show, totaling 41.
The group supported by Texbrasil consisted of: Altero, Brand Têxtil, Canatiba Têxtil, Capricórnio Têxtil, Cardenas, Cataguases, Cedro Têxtil, Chargeurs PCC Brasil, Coltex, Dalila Ateliê Têxtil, Diklatex, Doptex, Ematex WorkWear, Fabril Mascarenhas, FB do Brasil, Fiorella, Hyosung, Kalimo, Kirimurê Brasil, Linhas Trichê, Lunelli Têxtil, Martine Digital, Nilit/Sensil, Nova Kaeru, Pantextil, Paranatex Têxtil, Pollibox, Rovitex, Sancris Linhas, Fios e Zíperes, Santista Têxtil, Spa Têxtil, Tecelagem Columbia, Texneo, The LYCRA Company and Vicunha Têxtil.
“Colombiatex 2026 reaffirms Brazil’s strength in the global textile and apparel industry and opens new opportunities for exports and the international expansion of Brazilian brands,” emphasizes Rafael Cervone, executive director of the Texbrasil Program and emeritus president of Abit. “The event demonstrates a long-term strategic commitment to Colombia. We have taken part since 2002 and we are the largest foreign delegation at the trade show, both in number of exhibitors and occupied exhibition space. Our goal is to increase the commercial partnership, aiming not only at bilateral supply but also at the strategic strengthening of trade with Latin America,” he adds.
The Brazilian participation at the trade show also included six machinery and equipment manufacturers supported by the Brazil Machinery Solutions Program, a partnership between ABIMAQ (Brazilian Machinery and Equipment Industry Association) and ApexBrasil. The companies Audaces, Castilho Máquinas Têxteis, Comelato Roncato, Inarmeg Máquinas e Redutores, Sociotec Automação, and SPGPrints registered 210 business contacts, including 139 new business relationships, and generated US$ 5.4 million in consolidated and prospective business, a 92.25% growth compared to the previous edition.
According to Patrícia Gomes, executive director of foreign markets at ABIMAQ, the result reflects a change in the relationship pattern between suppliers and buyers in the region. “Interest was focused on recurring supplies and operational continuity, rather than occasional purchases,” she states.
About ApexBrasil
The Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil) works to promote Brazilian products and services abroad and attract foreign investment to strategic sectors of the Brazilian economy. To achieve its goals, ApexBrasil carries out a wide range of trade promotion actions aimed at promoting exports and valuing Brazilian products and services abroad, such as prospective and commercial missions, business rounds, support for the participation of Brazilian companies in major international trade shows, visits of foreign buyers and opinion makers to learn about the Brazilian production structure, among other business platforms that also aim at strengthening the brand Brazil.
The Agency also works in a coordinated manner with public and private actors to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) to Brazil with a focus on strategic industries, aiming at developing the competitiveness of Brazilian companies and Brazil as a whole.
About Abit
The Brazilian Textile and Apparel Industry Association (Abit), founded on February 21, 1957, is one of the most important entities among Brazil’s economic sectors. It represents the productive force of 25,700 companies established nationwide, of all sizes, which employ over 1.34 million workers and together generated an annual revenue (in 2024) of R$ 221 billion.
About Texbrasil
The Brazilian Textile and Fashion Industry Internationalization Program (Texbrasil) works with companies in the textile and apparel industry to develop strategies to conquer the global market. Over 22 years, it has helped around 1,900 brands to enter the export market, generating more than US$ 9 billion in business. The program is a partnership between Abit (Brazilian Textile and Apparel Industry Association) and ApexBrasil (Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency).
About ABIMAQ
The Brazilian Machinery and Equipment Industry Association (ABIMAQ) was founded in 1937 with the goal of strengthening the national industry by mobilizing the industry, engaging with political and economic authorities, stimulating international trade and cooperation, and contributing to improving performance in terms of technology, human resource training, and managerial modernization. For more information: www.abimaq.org.br.
About Brazil Machinery Solutions
The result of a partnership between the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil) and the Brazilian Machinery and Equipment Industry Association (ABIMAQ), Brazil Machinery Solutions Program aims to promote Brazilian exports of machinery and equipment, as well as strengthen Brazil’s image as a manufacturer of mechanical capital goods with competitive technology. The BMS Program is comprised of machinery and equipment manufacturers from various industries, such as agriculture, textiles, mining, plastics, packaging, among others. For more information: www.brazilmachinery.com.