Organic cotton goods sales up 63%
02/04/2009
The top ten organic cotton-using brands and retailers globally were Wal-Mart (USA), C&A (Belgium), Nike (USA), H&M (Sweden), Zara (Spain), Anvil (USA), Coop Switzerland, Pottery Barn (USA), Greensource (USA), and Hess Natur (Germany).
Despite the global retail outlook, most brands and retailers selling organic cotton products remain upbeat about market growth with plans to expand their product lines 24% and 33% in 2009 and 2010, respectively, reaching 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 fibres such as wool, linen, and silk," said LaRhea Pepper, Organic Exchange senior director.
The amount of organic cotton farmers grew worldwide in 2007-08 increased 152%, according to OE's Organic Cotton Farm and Fiber Report 2008, organic cotton production increased to 145,872 metric tons grown on 161,000 hectares in 22 countries worldwide (from 57,932 metric tons produced in 2006-07).
In 2008, certified organic cotton fibre supplies grew 95%, significantly higher than annual growth rates of 45% in 2006 and 53% in 2007.
Share this story:
