2008 Global Organic Cotton Market Hits $3.2 Billion

Worldwide retail sales of organic cotton apparel and home textile products reached an estimated $3.2 billion in 2008, according to the 2007-2008 Organic Cotton Market Report released last week by the Organic Exchange (OE). This growth represents a 63 percent increase from the $1.9 billion market estimate for 2007.

The study found Walmart, Nike, H&M, Zara, Anvil, Pottery Barn and Greensource were among the top ten organic cotton-using brands and retailers globally. The OE, a non-profit organization based in O’Donnell, Texas, also determined that brands and retailers selling organic cotton products have a positive outlook for the market, with plans to expand their product lines 24 and 33 percent in 2009 and 2010, respectively. That forecast would 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 fibers such as wool, linen and silk,” said LaRhea Pepper, Organic Exchange senior director.

Meanwhile, the OE’s 2008 Organic Cotton Farm and Fiber Report found the amount of organic cotton farmers worldwide grew 152 percent, while certified organic cotton fiber supplies grew by 95 percent (compared to 45 percent in ’06 and 53 percent in ’07), possibly shifting the market into a state of oversupply this year. Pepper noted this poses a risk to farmers, and suggested brands explore opportunities for expanding their organic offerings, as organic fiber, yarns, and fabrics are more available today than in the past.

The 7th Organic Exchange Global Conference and Marketplace will take place in Seattle in October 2009; for details visit www.organicexchange.org.

In This Issue: The future of Eco in a down market The T-shirt trend report Avoiding the perpetual sale trap Plus: Lifestyle brands rule the fashion pages Coming Next Month: Understanding the grandparent demographic An update on the state of e-commerce Earnshaw’s annual report on the growth of the industry Plus: Infant and toddler fashion