Organic-Cotton Sales Still Strong
Sales of organic-cotton products within the apparel and home-textiles industries grew to $3.2 billion in 2008, a 63 percent jump over the previous year’s mark, according to the Lubbock, Texas–based Organic Exchange.
The report was based on global retail sales. The leading outlets were Wal-Mart, Nike Inc., Anvil, Pottery Barn, Greensource, H&M, Zara, Coop Switzerland, C&A in Belgium and Hess Nature from Germany.
Despite the gloomy global retail outlook, most brands and retailers selling organic-cotton products remain committed to their sustainability plans and upbeat about market growth, with plans to expand their product lines 24 percent and 33 percent in 2009 and 2010, respectively, to result in an estimated $4 billion market in 2009 and a $5.3 billion market in 2010.
“It is a sign of the times that, despite ominous financial forecasts, brands and retailers are standing fast to their commitment to making their product lines more sustainable by ever increasing their use of organic-cotton and other organic fibers such as wool, linen and silk,” Organic Exchange Senior Director LaRhea Pepper said.
The number of organic-cotton farmers worldwide increased 152 percent between 2007 and 2008, according to the organization. Certified organic-cotton fiber supplies grew by 95 percent, significantly higher than annual growth rates of 45 percent in 2006 and 53 percent in 2007.
“Farmers who planted on speculation or expanded without market partners may have shifted the market into a state of oversupply in 2009,” explained Pepper, who strongly discouraged farmers from such a risk. “Brands may want to explore opportunities for expanding their organic programs with their business partners, as for the first time in many years supplies of organic fiber, yarns, and fabrics are more available than in previous years.”
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.
Pepper also announced that this year’s global conference will take place in Seattle in October. For more information, visit www.organicexchange.org. —Robert McAllister
