Wal-Mart, Williams-Sonoma among top U.S. consumers of organic cotton

Jennifer Negley -- Home Textiles Today, 6/2/2010 2:11:56 PM

Lubbock, Texas - Even in the teeth of a global economic slowdown, sales of organic cotton jumped 35% last year to $4.3 billion, according to the Organic Cotton Market Report 2009 released by the non-profit Organic Exchange.

The Top Twelve organic cotton-using brands and retailers globally in 2009 were: C&A (Belgium), Nike, Wal-Mart Inc., Williams-Sonoma, Inc., H&M, Anvil Knitwear, Coop Switzerland, Greensource Organic Clothing Co., Levi Strauss & Co., Target, adidas, and Nordstrom.

"Many people thought the recession would mean an end to all things organic, but the market reacted in quite the opposite way," said LaRhea Pepper, OE senior director and co-author of the report.

Production grew 20% from 2007/2008 to more than 175,000 metric tons (802,599 bales) grown on 625,000 acres in 22 countries.

"Companies increasingly became certified to traceability standards such as the OE Blended or OE 100 standard as it helps users track their actual use of organic fiber from the field to the finished product, contributing to the increasing integrity of the organic fiber market. Many manufacturers also became certified to the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) which addresses textile's processing stages and includes strong labor provisions," according to the organization.

OE's 8th Organic Exchange Global Conference and Marketplace will take place in New York City on Oct. 27 and 28.