“According to the Exchange’s Organic Cotton Farm and Fiber Report,
production of organic cotton rose 15 percent from 209,950 metric tonnes
(MT) in 2008-09 to 241,276 MT (just over 1.1 million bales) grown on
461,000 hectares (186,560 acres) in 2009-2010. Organic cotton now
represents 1.1 percent of global cotton production. Global organic
cotton has witness a veritable explosion (539 percent increase) in
production in the last four years since 2005-06, when only 37,000 MT was
produced in 22 countries. The organization anticipates similar strong
growth in this year. ” “..
With the addition of Tajikistan, organic cotton was grown by
approximately 274,000 farmers in 23 countries in 2009-2010 versus 22
countries in 2008-09. India remained the top producing nation for
2009-10 for the third straight year, growing over 80 percent of the
organic cotton produced globally and increasing its production of the
fiber by 37 percent over 2009-2010. Syria moves from third into second
place, and Turkey fell from second to third place. The remaining
countries in descending order are: China, United States, Tanzania,
Uganda, Peru, Egypt, Mali, Pakistan, Burkina Faso, Israel, Benin,
Paraguay, Greece, Tajikistan, Senegal, Nicaragua, South Africa, Brazil,
and Zambia. ” “..
According to LaRhea Pepper, Textile Exchange senior director,
“Manufacturers, retailers and consumers, and most importantly, farmers,
all signaled their continued interest in supporting organic cotton
production and the risks that came with it despite the recession.” “In
addition,” she continued, “the strong growth is an indication of the
work Textile Exchange is doing with brands and retailers that have
strong strategic plans and engagement all the way to the farm.” ” “..
Liesl Truscott, Textile Exchange farm engagement director and the
report’s lead author, notes that the organic sector cannot rest on its
laurels despite the rapid growth in organic cotton production. “As
organic cotton grows in volume, we must continue to strengthen integrity
in production, certification, and processing,” she stated. ” “..
All 2008-2009 stocks of organic cotton have been purchased as has most
of this current year’s crop. As such, “brands interested in nailing down
their supply need to build organic cotton supply security into their
planning strategies now, preferably by implementing forward contracts,”
stressed Truscott. ” “..
According to the organization’s Organic Cotton Market Report 2010,
global retail sales of organic cotton and home textile products topped
4.3 billion U.S. dollars in 2009. Data from the 2010 market will be
available this spring. ” “..
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 or genetically-modified seeds. ” “..
Representatives from Textile Exchange will be speaking and exhibiting at
the Outdoor Retailer show in Salt Lake City January 21, 2010”
Date:1/13/2011
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