The Role of Organic Cotton
Turkey was a pioneer in producing organic cotton. Turkish organic cotton production
started in 1989-1990 at Kahramananmaras in the Eastern Mediterranean region.
Since then, its growth has been spectacular. According to Rebecca Clahan Klein,
president of the Organic Exchange, "Turkey is a world leader in organic
cotton production, with a 53% share of the market," although giving up its
position as the number one organic cotton producer to India in 2008, with China
right behind.
Basri Ozcoban, chair of The National Cotton Council of
Turkey, reported in August 2008 that "last year the price of fertilizers
rose 100%2. This may be sufficient incentive for maintaining
sustainable growth in organic cotton production.3"
Consumer Demand, Fashion and Branding, and Added Value
The textile and apparel industry is being forced to
implement a new set of standards based on the triple bottom line of economic,
social, and environmental sustainability. Especially, as international
financial markets continue tightening their belts, the days of waste and
disregard in the industry are over.
As the growth in the Turkish economy slows, "added
value" becomes a major focus. At the same time, as with any industry
having a fashion input, branding and image are very important.
Isik Tarakcioglu, chair of the Turkish Textile Research
Association emphasized this very point. "Turkey must preserve its leading
position in a rapidly growing market. The engine for rapid growth is the fast
growth of demand in the EU countries, the US, and Japan. Organic cotton
represents a window for Turkey to continue a significant contribution to its
textile industry, and also to raise its image and enable the garment industry
to move up to a higher class."
References
- The Fiber Year 2007/08: A World Survey on Textiles and
Non Wovens Industry, No. 8, Oerlikon.
- Ozcoban, Basri, www.fibre2fashion.com/news/textile-news/turkey,
accessed October 2008.
- PAN Germany Organic Cotton Circular, 3rd edition, 2007.
Originally published in AATCC News;
November 2008
© AATCC
About the Authors
The authors
are with Dyehouse Solutions and AATCC, respectively
