Organic Cotton Output Up 53 Percent Worldwide

Global organic cotton production rose 53 percent in 2006-07 compared with 2005-06, according to the Organic Exchange Organic Farm and Fiber Report 2007 released recently by Organic Exchange — a Berkeley, Calif.-based organization that promotes the use of organic agricultural practices. The organization projects a further 25- to 55-percent increase in production in 2007-08.

The report states that 57,931 metric tons, or 265,517 bales, of organic cotton were produced in 24 countries on six continents. Turkey led the list of organic cotton-producing countries, followed by India, China, Syria, Peru, the United States, Uganda, Tanzania, Israel and Pakistan. The Middle East region accounted for 44.9 percent of total production, and Southeast Asia provided 32.9 percent of the total.

“The increase in organic cotton production around the world is a direct result of the apparel, home product and personal care industry’s interest in providing products grown in the most sustainable manner possible,” said LaRhea Pepper, executive director, Organic Exchange. She expects demand for the fiber will remain high, providing incentive for traditional cotton growers to convert to organic cultivation to meet that demand.

Global sales of organic cotton products — which grew 35 percent annually, from $245 million in 2001 to $583 million in 2005 — are expected to balloon to $2.6 billion by the end of 2008, according to the Organic Exchange Spring 2006 Global Organic Cotton Market Report. Nike Inc., Beaverton, Ore.; Coop, Switzerland; Patagonia Inc., Ventura, Calif.; Otto Versand GmbH & Co., Germany; and Sam’s Club/Wal-Mart Stores Inc., Bentonville, Ark., were the leading users of organic cotton.

October 16, 2007