Latest figures from the Organic Exchange show that the amount of
organic cotton produced globally increased 53% from 2005/06 to 2006/07
to 57,931 metric tons (MT), or 265,517 bales of cotton and volumes are
set to climb further.
This expansion was led by growers in Turkey, India, Syria, China and
Peru according to the just published report: Organic Exchange Organic
Farm and Fiber Report 2007, from the US non-governmental organisation,
and using three different growth scenarios, it says organic cotton
production will likely increase from 25 to 55% in 2007/08.
This further increase is likely, because of the increasingly popularity
of organic cotton use in consumer products. Ending stocks of organic
cotton are estimated to be only approximately 9,046 MT or 41,461 bales
and these are likely remain at or lower than current levels in all
three scenarios given the tight market, according to the Organic
Exchange.
“The increase in organic cotton production around the world is a direct
result of the apparel, home product and personal care industrys
interest in providing products grown in the most sustainable manner
possible,” said LaRhea Pepper, Organic Exchange executive director.
“Organic Exchange believes that demand for organic cotton fiber will
remain high which means more and more farmers can convert to organic
production to help manufacturers meet the demand,” Pepper continued.
The report said that organic cotton was now grown in a total of 24
countries on all arable continents. The top ten organic cotton
producing countries were (in order by rank): Turkey, India, China,
Syria, Peru, the United States, Uganda, Tanzania, Israel, and
Pakistan. Almost 45% (44.9) of the organic cotton was grown in the
Middle East (Turkey, Syria and Israel), while 32.9% was grown in
Southeast Asia (India and Pakistan).
Organic production is based on a system of farming that maintains and
replenishes soil fertility without the use of toxic and persistent
pesticides and fertilizers.
The report says that global organic cotton product sales increased an
estimated 35% annually, from US$245 million in 2001 to US$583 million
in 2005 and are projected to climb to US$2.6 billion by the end of
2008. The top five users of organic cotton in 2005 were Nike (Oregon),
Coop Switzerland and Patagonia (California), Otto (Germany), and Sams
Club/Wal-mart (Arkansas).
For details of how to purchase a copy of the full report go to: www.organicexchange.org.
