Pima cotton, which represents only 3 per cent of the United States cotton crop, and a similar percentage of world production, is growing in popularity due to price premiums.

Marc Lewkowitz, who represents Supima, the organization responsible for promoting Pima cotton, told the Australian Cotton Conference on the Gold Coast its popularity was due to consistency of color, and the extra length, additional strength and fine micronaire, which yield superior fabrics with better drape and softness along with superior brilliance of colour and lustre.

He said China is now the largest Pima consumer accounting for 42 per cent of the entire  American Pima exports.

The latest USDA estimate for ending stocks of American Pima is only 48,000 bales. This compares to over 300,000 bales only four years ago and a stocks to use ratio that has fallen from 65.5 per cent in 2001 to a mere 1.5 per cent last year and only a marginally better estimate of 7.7 per cent today.

Despite price premiums, Pima cotton production in Australia has been limited due to its lower yield capabilities, disease susceptibility, long season growing period, discounts applied to rain damaged crops, the lack of locally adapted and transgenic varieties.

Supima (a registered trademark) was created to promote American Pima, address government regulations and support agricultural research relevant to American Pima.

A non-profit organization, it receives its funding in part from voluntary dues collection from the American Pima farmers of US$3 per bale. Revenue from these collections is used to run the organization and to fund advertising and promotional activities.