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US organic cotton acreage highest despite obstacles

By Simone Preuss

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Business

In its latest report, the Organic Trade Association (OTA) confirmed that the organic cotton acreage in the US has been on a "slow but steady growth trend" over the last few years, reaching its highest in almost 20 years.

According to the "2013 and Preliminary 2014 U.S. Organic Cotton Production & Marketing Trends", organic cotton acreage has increased by 14 percent from 15,973 acres in 2013 to 18,234 acres in 2014, which is the largest planted organic cotton acreage since 1995.

The report is based on a survey with organic cotton growers in Arizona, California, New Mexico, North Carolina and Texas, which was conducted in December of 2014. West Texas emerged as the leading organic cotton region in the country.

Remarkable is not only the increase but also that it happened despite the many hurdles organic cotton growers had to overcome like tight seed supplies, persistent weeds and a shortage of seasonal labour. These three factors were mentioned by all respondents regardless of farm size, region or varieties of organic cotton grown.

"It's not easy to grow organic cotton," stated Laura Batcha, OTA's CEO and executive director. "These latest numbers show the genuine commitment of organic growers to produce cotton in the most environmentally friendly way, and to respond to an increasing desire by consumers for organic fiber. Today's consumers want to incorporate organic not just in the food we eat, but in the clothes we wear, the sheets on our bed, and the mattresses on which we sleep."

According to the report, "US organic cotton growers enjoy a healthy market for their products, and command a premium over non-organic cotton". The per-pound-price of organic cotton ranged from 1.38 US dollars for organic upland cotton - the majority of the US organic cotton crop in 2013 - to 2.20 US dollars for organic pima cotto, which was planted on fewer than 1,000 acres.

The reports credits the increase in acreage with an increase in consumer demand in recent years for sustainable, chemical-free fibers. Organic fiber is now the largest non-food organic category in the US market, reaching sales of close to 1 billion US dollars in 2013.

Photo: organic cotton plants, OTA
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