Over the last few years, Textile Exchange has deepened its support of organic and preferred cotton production in Africa in a number of ways. This page is where you can access the latest information on these activities.
There are considerable opportunities for growth of organic and preferred cotton production and processing across Africa, and for cross-fertilization of ideas and best practices between and within countries and initiatives. So, too, is there a rapidly growing demand from brands for organically grown fiber, with local to global brands increasing their use of organic cotton year over year. There is huge potential for Africa to capitalize on this, particularly on European companies’ need and desire to reduce their carbon footprint and support more local and sustainable cotton production.
Why Africa? Hear from participants of our 2018 Regional OCRT in Koudougou, Burkina Faso.
pan-africa sourcing working group
Textile Exchange’s Pan-Africa Sourcing Working Group was initiated at the 2016 Organic Cotton Round Table in Hamburg, when it was proposed that a group be established to work on the various priorities that had been identified for expanding organic cotton production in Africa and better connecting to supply networks. The group is chaired by Prama Bhardwaj, CEO of Mantis World, and currently has 34 individual members from 23 different companies and organizations with broad industry representation. The ultimate objective of the group is to develop and support the market for preferred/more sustainable cotton produced in Africa. If you’re interested in joining or finding out more about this working group, feel free to contact us at Materials@TextileExchange.org.
NEW White paper
Cotton in Africa: Sustainability at a Crossroads
In light of the adoption of genetically modified (GM) cotton in seven countries in Africa, Textile Exchange’s Pan-Africa Sourcing Working Group issued a white paper, “Cotton in Africa: Sustainability at a Crossroads,” addressing the arguments for organic and other non-GM cotton production methods and the risks of expanding GM cotton on the continent. The full white paper was released June 9, 2020, and is available here. An abridged version was presented by Marco Paul, Co-CEO of bioRe Tanzania Ltd., on November 27, 2019 at the National Ecological Organic Agriculture Conference in Dodoma, Tanzania.
English
Cotton in Africa: Sustainability at a CrossroadsPress release
French
Le coton en Afrique: Le développement durable à la croisée des chemins – ExtraitCommuniqué de presse
network meeting | Vancouver | October 17, 2019
On Thursday October 17, 2019, Textile Exchange’s Pan-Africa Sourcing Working Group hosted a Network Meeting during the Textile Sustainability Conference in Vancouver. The event aimed to celebrate African cotton and highlight the work of some of the key stakeholders supporting organic and preferred cotton production across the continent.
Regional Organic Cotton Round Table | West Africa
Textile Exchange has found that bringing people together at the regional level from all parts of the supply network is a powerful way to catalyze action by bringing specific regional opportunities into focus, strengthening existing efforts and initiatives, and shaping customized approaches. This is what led to the launch of the Regional Organic Cotton Round Table (OCRT) in Izmir, Turkey, in 2017 and 2018, and again in China in 2019. The first Regional OCRT West Africa was held in Burkina Faso in 2018 – and we are excited to be back in 2020! Read more below.
2020 Regional OCRT | January 31 | Koudougou
The aim of the Regional OCRT was to identify the opportunities for growth in the organic and fairtrade cotton sector in West Africa, and for developing manufacturing infrastructure and textile value chains. In addition to the partners mentioned above, the event was further supported by the Swiss Cooperation (SDC) through Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Handicrafts of Burkina Faso, and by the German government (GIZ/BMZ).
Read even summary prepared by ecos Workshop results | Résultats des ateliers (EN & FR)
Video Insights
Filmed at the inaugural Regional OCRT West Africa in September 2018, Out of the Box Series 2 is a powerful and thought-provoking interview series providing a unique insight into the wealth of talent, knowledge and leadership that exists in West Africa’s cotton sector; a sector that is fast gaining attention on the international stage.
CRS: The Power Behind Your Purchase
hessnatur: Organic Cotton in Burkina Faso
UNPCB’s Organic and Fairtrade Cotton Program
Status of Organic Cotton Production in Africa
The production of organic cotton is increasing worldwide, with Africa – led by Tanzania – growing approximately four percent of the global total in 2017/18. According to Textile Exchange’s latest Organic Cotton Market Report, eight African countries – Benin, Burkina Faso, Egypt, Ethiopia, Mali, Senegal, Tanzania, and Uganda – grew organic cotton in 2017/18. Tanzania is by far the largest organic cotton producing country on the continent, followed by (in order of rank) Uganda, Benin, Burkina Faso, Mali, Egypt, Ethiopia and Senegal.
In total, there were 36,110 organic cotton farmers in Africa (including Egypt) growing 7,335 metric tons of cotton fiber on 68,540 hectares (ha) of land. An additional 2,755 ha were in transition to organic cotton between Tanzania (1,297 ha), Egypt (1,043 ha), and Mali (415 ha). Compared to 2016/17, this represents a 20 percent increase in organic cotton fiber production and a 46 percent increase in certified organic land under cotton production.
Quick Links
About organic cotton
Organic cotton is cotton that is produced and certified to organic agricultural standards.
Learn morePFM ROUND TABLES
2019 Market report
The 2019 Organic Cotton Market Report is now available, sharing the latest data and insights from the 2017/18 harvest.
Access hereCFMB
The Corportate Fiber & Materials Benchmark (CFMB) helps companies measure, manage and integrate a preferred fiber & materials strategy.
Read moreSUSTAINABILITY ASSESSMENT
A framework for assessing the environmental, social & economic impacts of organic cotton agriculture.
Learn moreGlossary
contact us
For more information, or to register your interest and receive updates about this event, don’t hesitate to contact the team at: Materials@textileexchange.org
