Organic Cotton Market Reaches $1 Billion
Organic Exchange, a Berkeley, Calif.–based organization focusing on increasing the production and use of organically grown fibers such as cotton, announced the global organic cotton market topped $1.1 billion in 2006.
That is an 84 percent increase from 2005, when retail sales of organic cotton stood at $583 million. By the end of 2007, the global organic cotton market will reach $1.9 billion, the OE estimates, and could reach $6.8 billion in 2010.
The retail sales figures are a part of the organization’s “Organic Exchange Organic Cotton Market Report 2007.” It includes apparel, home and personal-care products.
Apparel leads the pack in organic cotton consumption. In 2006, apparel represented 85 percent of the total market demand. Wal-Mart Stores Inc., Nike and Patagonia were among the top five companies in the world using the most organic cotton last year.
OE presented its full report Oct. 31–Nov. 2 at its fifth annual conference and marketplace in Monterey, Calif. The event was attended by more than 300 professionals from 39 countries. For more results of the “Organic Exchange Organic Cotton Market Report 2007,” visit www.organicexchange.org.—Erin Barajas
