U.S. growers of organic cotton increased plantings of organic cotton acreage by 26 percent in 2009 over that planted the previous year, according to preliminary data collected by the Organic Trade Association (OTA) in a survey funded by Cotton Incorporated.
Analysis of available data collected by an OTA survey of U.S. organic cotton producers and preliminary data from the Texas Organic Cotton Marketing Cooperative put 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 U.S. cotton growers.
Harvested acreage figures for 2009 are not yet available. However, estimates show that this could be as much as 9,555 acres, up from 7,289 acres harvested in 2008.
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 52 cents to $1.35 for organic upland cotton in 2008, compared to $1 to $1.50 in 2007. Organic pima cotton prices ranged from $1.05 to $3 in 2007, compared to $1.75 in 2008.
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.