Greenfield, Massachusetts
January 2, 2008
U.S. acreage planted to organic
cotton in 2006 increased 14% from that planted the previous
year, according to a 2007 survey conducted by the
Organic Trade Association (OTA)
and funded by a grant from Cotton Incorporated.
In results released today, the survey of organic cotton farmers
from California, Arizona, Missouri, New Mexico, Tennessee, and
Texas, revealed that farmers planted 6,786 acres of organic
cotton (which included both
organic upland and pima cotton) this year, representing a 14%
increase over the 5,971 acres planted during 2006. Surveyed
farmers project continued growth in organic cotton acreage in
2008, with as much as 883 acres more to be planted with organic
cotton than were planted in 2007.
The survey also found that farmers harvested 8,116 bales of
organic cotton in 2006, down 16% from 2005, when 9,630 bales
were harvested. Respondents cited weather and limited irrigation
resources as factors in this change.
The survey also revealed a price increase in organic upland
cotton from 2005 to 2006, with the average price per pound
ranging from $.85 to $1.25 for in 2006. In 2005, the same type
of cotton was priced between $.80 and $1.05 per pound. Organic
pima cotton ranged in price from $1.65 to $2.09 per pound in
2006, though no comparable data from 2005 were provided for
comparison.
The survey was mailed to 49 people in seven states; 14 farmers
returned completed surveys that met the criteria for analysis
(namely, they grew organic cotton in 2006). Six additional
responding farmers did not grow
organic cotton in 2006.
Surveyed farmers also indicated that a variety of strategies
could be used to improve support for the long-term economic
sustainability of U.S. organic farms, citing continued premiums
over conventional products, more education throughout the supply
chain, and stable demand and price as some of the potential
approaches to consider.
The mission of the Organic Trade Association is to promote
and protect the growth of organic trade to benefit the
environment, farmers, the public and the economy. OTA envisions
organic products becoming a significant part of everyday life,
enhancing people's lives and the environment. As a
membership-based business association, the Organic Trade
Association focuses on the organic business community in North
America. OTA's more than 1,600 members include farmers,
processors, importers, exporters, distributors, retailers,
certifiers, and more.
For further information, visit
OTA's web site at www.ota.com
and its consumer web site at
www.theorganicreport.org. |
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