Organic Cotton Farming in South Africa: business case development and demonstration pilots

Since introducing South Africa’s first clothing made from 100% organic cotton in 2004, Woolworths has been spearheading initiatives to establish a local pipeline for organic cotton. Their efforts have now borne fruit, as this summer sees the planting of South Africa’s first commercial scale trial crop of organic cotton.

Since introducing South Africa’s first clothing made from 100% organic cotton in 2004, Woolworths has spearheaded initiatives to establish a local pipeline for organic cotton. These efforts have now borne fruit, as South Africa’s very first commercial-scale organic cotton crop is now being harvested in Limpopo.  Soon it will be spun, dyed, knitted or woven into cloth and will make its way to Woolworths in items ranging from t-shirts to towels.

The purpose of the pilot project on organic cotton farming in South Africa is to facilitate the development of commercial-scale organic cotton farming in South Africa by 2010. read more...

The first organic cotton planted on a commercial scale was harvested on 29 May at the Hanneline farm in Limpopo. Woolworths, in cooperation with ComMark, Cotton SA, the Organic Exchange and the Agricultural Research Council (ARC's) Institute for Industrial Crops, had established this project in 2004 to produce clothing made from 100% organic cotton.

Africa is a major production area of organic ingredients for apparel, food, home and beauty products as well as the location of many high quality manufacturers of textile, apparel, home, food, and beauty products. Brands and retailers including Aveda, Coop Switzerland, Marks & Spencer, Nordstrom and Woolworth's South Africa are offering their customers a growing variety of certified organic and fair trade products from Africa.