The number of cotton growers enrolled in the programme for 2025 has reached 1,512, showing a 14% increase when compared to the previous year, 2024.

The Trust Protocol is a voluntary initiative aimed at promoting sustainability among US cotton growers and provides a traceability platform for all US Cotton.

Growers who join the programme gain access to data-driven insights that assist them in evaluating their environmental impact, refining their agricultural methods, and enhancing overall productivity.

This participation also enables them to showcase their dedication to sustainable practices through documented measurement and verification processes.

Trust Protocol executive director Daren Abney stated “We are proud of the continued increase in grower participation in the Trust Protocol, the voluntary sustainability programme for US Cotton, which means greater sourcing opportunities for brands and retailers around the world, including increased access to US Cotton and Protocol Cotton.

“This consistent increase highlights the value growers find in our programme as they look for opportunities to enhance resilience in the face of current economic and environmental pressures.”

The Trust Protocol offers a system that is both transparent and verifiable for tracking US Cotton and Protocol Cotton through to the finished product.

This system provides brands and retailers with the confidence necessary to fulfil their sourcing objectives and comply with reporting mandates.

Currently, the Trust Protocol has over 2,500 mill and manufacturer members globally and collaborates with more than 45 international brands such as Ralph Lauren, Gap, Levi’s, Carhartt, J.Crew, and Urban Outfitters.

In 2024, there was a 35% rise in grower enrolment within the Trust Protocol compared to the previous year.