Global organic cotton production soars 53%

US: Global organic cotton production soars 53%

By just-style.com | 2 October 2007

Growing demand for organic cotton from the apparel, home product and personal care industries has helped drive soaring growth in production and sales over the last year according to a new report.

Data published by the Organic Exchange calculates the amount of organic cotton produced globally rose by 53% from 2005/06 to 2006/07.

According to its Organic Farm and Fiber Report 2007, 57,931 metric tons, or 265,517 bales, were produced in 24 countries on all arable continents.

Organic production is based on a system of farming that maintains and replenishes soil fertility without the use of toxic and persistent pesticides and fertilisers.

The Berkeley, California-based organisation has also forecast in an earlier report that global sales of organic cotton products will skyrocket from $583m in 2005 to $2.6bn by the end of 2008.

Its latest research, however, shows Turkey, India and China leading organic cotton production, with nearly half (44.9%) being grown in the Middle East (Turkey, Syria and Israel).

"Organic Exchange believes that demand for organic cotton fibre will remain high," said executive director LaRhea Pepper, "which means more and more farmers can convert to organic production to help manufacturers meet the demand."

Using three different growth scenarios, organic cotton production is forecast to rise between 25% and 55% in 2007/08.

Sectors: Apparel, Fibres & fabrics, Manufacturing

Companies: Organic Exchange