Organic cotton is grown without pesticides and insecticides, furthermore organic cotton seeds are not genetically modified. For organic cotton cultivation only methods and materials that have a low impact on the environment are used (organic farming). Though organic cotton farming replenish and maintain soil fertility. Organic cotton cultivation reduce the use of toxic and persistent pesticides and fertilizers and build biologically diverse agriculture. Organic cotton agriculture abdicates toxic and persistent pesticides, choosing organic cotton products are the easiest way to protect yourself and your skin.
The first organic cotton project started 1990 in Egypt. Today organic cotton is grown in over 22 countries: p.ex. Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali. As of 2007 the largest producers of organic cotton are Turkey and India. According to "Organic Exchange" China, Syria, Peru, Uganda, Tanzania, Isreal, the United States and Pakistan are under the top ten organic cotton producing countries in the world.
Similar to the organic foods demand, the organic cotton market is growing unexpected quickly. During the 2007 - 2008 crop years, organic cotton production enhanced 152 percent, according to the Organic Cotton Farm and Fiber Report 2008 released by Organic Exchange. As a result, organic cotton production reached 145,872 metric tons (MT), equaling 668,581 bales, grown on 161,000 hectares in 22 countries.
Today, the biggest organic cotton producer is India, followed by Turkey on the second place. There are also several countries that start to produce organic cotton in large quantities, like Syria, China, Tanzania, the United States, Uganda, Peru, Egypt and Burkina Faso. They were participating against conventional cotton production that was recognized as risky for the environment and for the workers.
The organic cotton facts are spreading which has become a new business prospect. The result showed, at present there are more than 30 companies that are using organic cotton for a smaller or bigger part of their product range, such as Nike (Oregon), Coop Switzerland and Patagonia (California), Otto (Germany), Sam's Club/Wal-mart (Arkansas), American Apparel (California), Hess Natur (Germany), H&M (Sweden), Howies (United Kingdom), IKEA (Sweden), Marks & Spencer (United Kingdom), Monoprix (France), Mountain Equipment Co-operative (Canada), Nordstrom (Washington), Woolworths (South Africa), ZARA (Spain) and more than 1,200 small and medium sized brands.
