Texbrasil attends the Harvest Day event in Paraíba

On October 30, 2026, the municipality of Ingá, in the state of Paraíba, will host the “Harvest Day” (Dia da Colheita)—an event celebrating family farming and organic cotton production. The event offers the public a closer look at the various stages of the production chain, from cultivation to the transformation of raw materials into fashion products.

For this edition, the Brazilian Textile and Apparel Industry Association (Abit)—through Texbrasil (the Internationalization Program for the Brazilian Textile and Fashion Industry), in partnership with ApexBrasil (the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency)—is supporting the initiative by bringing two European opinion leaders and one buyer to the event. This facilitates direct engagement between international market representatives and Brazilian organic cotton production.

“This participation is part of Texbrasil’s ongoing work to connect Brazilian companies with international markets and increase the visibility of the domestic industry. During the event, the European guests will have the opportunity to gain an up-close look at the organic cotton production chain in Paraíba, the cultivation practices employed by farming families, and the potential applications for this raw material within the textile and fashion industry,” explains Lillian Kaddissi, Superintendent of Strategic Projects at Abit.

Brands participating in Texbrasil are part of the schedule

The program will also feature fashion shows by companies participating in Texbrasil, highlighting how cotton and fabrics developed in Brazil can be transformed into a variety of fashion products.

One of the highlights is the fashion show by Natural Cotton Color—a company participating in the program and led by Francisca Vieira, who also serves as president of the Brazilian Association for Sustainable Fashion (Abrimos). The pieces showcased will be crafted from fabrics developed in partnership with LYCRA® and Texpar.

The brand Celeste, also a participant in Texbrasil, will present a beachwear and fitness collection in a fashion show held in partnership with LYCRA®, Texpar, and Pisada do Sertão. These presentations demonstrate the diverse ways in which these materials can be applied, while reinforcing the connection between organic cotton production, textile development, and the creation of products for the fashion market.

From local production to international opportunities

In addition to the fashion shows, guests will be able to visit educational stations in the fields, offering guidance on organic farming practices, the importance of family farming to the local economy, and the criteria for the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certification—an international benchmark for the production and processing of organic fibers.

The program also includes a visit to a cotton processing plant, where attendees can learn about the ginning process—which separates cotton lint from the seeds—and see the equipment used to extract cottonseed oil. Performances by local cultural groups round out the activities.

This experience takes on added significance given the prospects for expanding local production. Currently, the Ingá region produces approximately 100 tons of organic cotton, involving 58 families. In the municipality of Ingá, the acquisition of 450 hectares by 24 farming families creates the conditions to scale up cultivation, with an expected increase of 50 tons in annual production starting in 2027.

Securing this land marks a major breakthrough for these families, who for years had grown cotton on borrowed or ceded plots. The purchase was made possible through a land credit program, featuring interest rates subsidized by the federal government and a 20-year repayment term.

“Today, there is a market for 150 tons of certified organic cotton: the 100 tons we already produce in the region, plus another 50 tons that could come from this new land in Ingá. Now, we need to expand our planting. Securing these 450 hectares is a decisive step, allowing the families in Ingá to move away from relying on borrowed land and enabling them to plan their production with greater security,” says Francisca Vieira, president of Abrimos and CEO of Natural Cotton Color. In 2023, the project encompassed 100.5 hectares of planted area, with an estimated harvest of approximately 105 tons and the participation of 44 families. In 2024, production reached 180 tons, involving more than 60 farming families.

About Harvest Day

Conceived by Francisca Vieira, CEO of Natural Cotton Color and president of Abrimos, the Harvest Day (Dia da Colheita) aims to bring visibility to family farming and connect various audiences with the organic cotton supply chain in Paraíba. The event is organized by Abrimos, the Cooperative of Family Farmers of Ingá and the Surrounding Region (Itacoop), and the Municipal Government of Ingá.

Event Details

Harvest Day 2026
Date: October 30, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Location: Itacoop — Rua Floriano Peixoto, 998, Ingá (PB).

About Abit

The Brazilian Textile and Apparel Industry Association (Abit), founded on February 21, 1957, is one of the most important entities within the country’s economic sectors. It represents the productive force of 25,700 companies of all sizes located throughout the country; together, they employ over 1.34 million workers and generate annual revenue (as of 2024) of R$ 221 billion.

About Texbrasil

The Brazilian Textile and Fashion Industry Internationalization Program (Texbrasil) works with companies in the textile and apparel sector to develop strategies for capturing the global market. Over the course of more than 25 years, it has helped approximately 2,000 brands embark on their export journey, generating US$ 11 billion in business. The Program is carried out through a partnership between Abit (Brazilian Textile and Apparel Industry Association) and ApexBrasil (Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency).

To participate, companies must fill out this form or contact the Relationship Department at texbrasil@abit.org.br.

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 these goals, ApexBrasil carries out diverse trade promotion activities aimed at boosting exports and highlighting the value of Brazilian products and services internationally. These include prospecting and trade missions, business matchmaking sessions, support for Brazilian companies participating in major international trade fairs, and visits by foreign buyers and opinion leaders to experience Brazil’s production capabilities, among other business platforms designed to strengthen the “Brazil” brand.

The Agency also works in coordination with public and private stakeholders to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) to Brazil, focusing on sectors strategic to the competitiveness of Brazilian companies and the country itself.

Learn more about ApexBrasil.