The latest figures from the Organic Exchange show that the amount of organic cotton produced globally increased 53% from 2005/06 to 2006/07. Current production rates are at 57,931 metric tons, or 265,517 bales, of cotton. The Organic Exchange says that volumes are set to climb 25% to 55% in 2007/08. Most of the expansion is coming from growers in Turkey, India, Syria, China and Peru.
“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.”
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. 44.9% of all organic cotton was grown in Turkey, Syria and Israel.
The report released by the Organic Exchange said that global organic cotton product sales increased an estimated 35% annually, from $245 million in 2001 to $583 million in 2005 and are projected to climb to $2.6 billion by the end of 2008.
