Global retail sales of organic cotton apparel and home textile products reached an estimated $3.2 billion in 2008, a 63 per cent increase on 2007, says the report, which named the top 10 global cotton using brands and retailers as: 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 a gloomy global retail outlook, most brands and retailers selling organic cotton products remain committed to their sustainability plans and are upbeat about market growth with plans to expand their product lines 24 and 33

per cent in 2009 and 2010, respectively, which will 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 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 per cent, according to OE's Organic Cotton Farm and Fibre Report 2008, organic cotton production increased to 145,872 metric tons (MT) (668,581 bales) grown on 161,000 hectares in 22 countries worldwide (from 57,932 MT (265,517 bales) produced in 2006/07).

During 2008, certified organic cotton fibre supplies grew by 95 per cent, significantly higher than annual growth rates of 45 per cent in 2006 and 53 per cent in 2007.

"Farmers who planted on speculation or expanded without market partners may have shifted the market into a state of oversupply in 2009," says Pepper, who strongly discourages farmers from taking this kind of risk.

"Brands may want to explore opportunities for expanding their organic programs with their business partners," she continued, "as for the first time in many years, supplies of organic fibre, yarns, and fabrics are more available than in previous years."

See next month's special focus feature on organic and Fairtrade clothing.

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