USA: Acreage for organic cotton increased

Acreage dedicated to organic cotton in the USA increased for the second straight year, according to research compiled by the Organic Trade Association (OTA). Analysis of available data found that the total acres planted in organic cotton grew from over 8,500 in 2007 to almost 9,300 in 2008, an increase of 9 %. Other findings showed more than 14,000 bales of organic cotton were harvested in 2007, representing a 73 % increase over the previous year. The U.S. organic cotton harvest represents about 2.1 % of total global organic cotton production.
 

Other survey findings revealed that changes were taking place within the organic cotton market. Organic cotton farmers saw the range in average price they received per pound increase from between $ 0.85 and $ 1.25 for organic upland cotton in 2006 to between $ 1 and $ 1.50 in 2007. Organic pima cotton farmers saw a similar increase in price, ranging from $ 1.65 to $ 2.09 in 2006 to $1.05 to $3 in 2007. Additional findings from this year’s survey made clear that several challenges lay ahead for U.S. organic cotton producers. Such producers remained in need of educational and economic resources to support their organic practices and build awareness of and access to high-quality markets for their organic cotton products.
 

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