GREENFIELD - Organic cotton growers increased plantings by 26% in 2009 compared to the previous year, according to the preliminary data collected by the Organic Trade Association (OTA). However, those surveyed also highlighted the problems of securing a reliable market for their cotton.
An analysis of available data collected by the Cotton Incorporated-funded survey of US organic cotton producers and preliminary data from the Texas Organic Cotton Marketing Cooperative (TOCMC) put the planted area at 10,731 acres in 2009, up from an estimated 8,539 acres in 2008. The 2009 plantings are the highest since 2001, when 11,586 acres were planted by US cotton growers.
And although harvested acreage figures for 2009 are not yet available, estimates show that this could be as much as 9,555 acres, up from 7,289 acres harvested in 2008.
Harvested organic cotton area in 2008 yielded 7,026 bales, of which 6,466 bales were upland cotton and 560 bales were pima cotton. This yield was significantly less than the 14,025 bales of organic cotton harvested from 8,510 acres in 2007. These yield differences reflected the extremely difficult weather conditions, including wind, hail and drought, in 2008 in contrast to excellent growing conditions in 2007.
Other survey findings revealed that the average price per pound farmers received for organic cotton in 2008 decreased from the previous year and ranged from US$0.52 to US$1.35 for organic upland cotton in 2008, compared to US$1 to US$1.50 in 2007. Organic pima cotton prices ranged from US$1.05 to US$3 in 2007, compared to US$1.75 in 2008.
When asked what their greatest barriers are to planting more cotton in 2010, growers cited finding a market that will pay value-added costs of organic products, production challenges such as weeds and insects, weed control, and labour costs. Growers also cited competition from international organic cotton producers as well as the cost of transition to organic.
To enhance their ability to market organic cotton, survey participants suggested that the National Organic Program continue to allow organic growers to use acid-delinted cotton seed for planting and cited the need for greater enforcement for foreign certifications. Growers also said they needed further promotion geared toward organic products and greater consumer demand.
