Over 320,000 tons of CmiA cotton harvested in 2016

14 Sep '17

2 min read

Courtesy: CmiA

More than 320,000 tons of Cotton made in Africa (CmiA) certified cotton were harvested in 2016 and processed further by textile producers in Asia, Europe and Africa. An increase has been observed in the number of fashion brands and textile retailers purchasing cotton from CmiA, the largest label for sustainable cotton from Africa, for their textiles.

Nearly 30 companies and brands use CmiA cotton for their textiles. The top customers of 2016 include the Otto Group, with bonprix as the biggest buyer within the company group, Tchibo and the Rewe Group with its sales channels Rewe, Penny and Toom Baumarkt. Additionally, Engelbert Strauss, Ernsting’s family, Asos, Aldi Süd and Bestseller rank among the biggest buyers that support the initiative through their demand for CmiA cotton. Smaller fashion labels such as Hiitu from Germany, Cooekid from Great Britain, Weaverbirds from Denmark or Abaana from Uganda are also contributing significantly by purchasing CmiA cotton. They offer an exclusive selection of products made from Cotton made in Africa cotton, ranging from children's clothing to high fashion textiles.

"In view of the many heterogeneous buyers of Cotton made in Africa cotton, it is clear that sustainable cotton from Africa can be used for a number of different product groups," Christian Barthel, director supply chain management said. "Sustainable cotton can be used for a very wide basis in the textile industry. Our partners successfully show that Cotton made in Africa cotton can lay a sustainable foundation for many branches."

CmiA cotton is grown by more than 780,000 smallholder farmers in 10 countries of sub-Saharan Africa and in accordance with the ecological and socio-economic criteria of the CmiA standard. More than 100 partners in the textile value chain are working with CmiA across the globe, to implement the principle of helping people to help themselves through trade. (RR)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk – India