Organic Cotton Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Type (Long-Staple Cotton, Short-Staple Cotton, Middle Staple Cotton, Extra-long Staple Cotton, and Others), By Quality Type (Supima/Pima, Upland, Giza, and Others), By Application (Apparel, Packaging, and Others), and Regional Forecast, 2024-2032

The global organic cotton market size was USD 1,113.5 million in 2023 and is projected to grow from USD 1,585.5 million in 2024 to USD 25,890.2 million by 2032 at a CAGR of 40.0% over the forecast period (2024-2032). Asia Pacific dominated the organic cotton market with a market share of 65.7% in 2023. Moreover, the organic cotton market size in the U.S. is projected to grow significantly, reaching an estimated value of 504.56 million by 2032, driven by increasing consumer demand for sustainable and eco-friendly textiles. 

Organic cotton is a type of cotton produced using natural fertilizers and materials that lower the impact on the environment. The production process replaces and maintains soil fertility, reduces the usage of toxic fertilizers and pesticides, and builds more diverse agriculture. This type of cotton is grown from quality seeds such as GM for better and higher crop yield. The rise in consumption of textile products as a result of fast fashion along with demand for sustainable solutions is catering to the market. The cotton fiber is used to make yarn of different nature used to produce apparel, sportswear, medical clothing, and packaging bags. The advancing nature of organic type of cotton fiber without any ill effect on nature and humans is primarily augmenting the market size.

Several countries globally affirmed restrictions on distribution and transportation of finished goods and raw materials since the outbreak of Coronavirus, thereby impacting the value chain of the market. The global brands' postponement or cancellation of orders affected the textile manufacturers and organic farmers. Textile manufacturers faced supply shortages owing to trade restrictions in important cotton-producing countries such as China and India, at least for the first half of 2020. As a result of this, various companies’ manufacturing activities were limited. Fortunately, despite disruptions caused by the pandemic, demand for the product increased significantly during 2020, attributed to strong brand commitment for sourcing preferred fiber and materials.

Organic Cotton Market Trends

Rising Application in Medical & Packaging Industries is Creating Product Demand

Organic cotton provides health benefits such as temperate UV protection and is antibacterial that turns as extra advantages for use in packaging and medical applications. These properties offer inbuilt protection from external factors, thereby removing the need for artificial chemicals used in textile applications. The e-commerce industry is anticipated to grow exponentially in the future, thereby leading to the growth of the packaging industry. The rising trend to use sustainable packaging solutions to reduce traditional plastic packaging creates opportunities for organic packaging. The improving and demanding lifestyle of medical personnel does not give time for proper care of skin and body, and the use of synthetic face masks further creates rashes on the face from regular use. The rising benefits of the product led to increasing applications in the medical industry, where they are used as face masks, gowns, and caps. All the factors mentioned above together are swelling the organic cotton market growth.

Focus on Transparency and Traceability in the Supply Chain to Enhance Brand Value

The trend of transparency and traceability in the organic cotton supply chain involves ensuring visibility and accountability at every stage, from cultivation to final product. This includes documenting the organic farming practices, tracking the transportation and processing of cotton, and verifying certifications. By implementing robust systems for transparency and traceability, stakeholders can assure consumers of the authenticity and sustainability of organic cotton products, mitigating the risks of fraud or misleading claims. This trend fosters trust among consumers, who increasingly prioritize ethically sourced and environmentally friendly products. As a result, the organic cotton market experiences growth as the demand for transparent and traceable supply chains aligns with consumer values, encouraging more businesses to adopt sustainable practices and invest in organic cotton production.

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Organic Cotton Market Growth Factors

Increase in Demand for Sustainable Textile Solutions Drives Market

The growing concerns over sustainability and pollution globally, many organizations prefer to use organic cotton when manufacturing textiles. Conventional cotton uses dangerous pesticides and requires a high quantity of water, while this type of cotton is better for soil conditioning and has a lesser environmental impact. Additionally, consumers have begun to feature sustainability when purchasing clothing and other textile products. The use of organic products gives textile companies an edge over competitors. The manufacturing operations of key fashion houses of Paris and Milan and retailers are progressively incorporating organic cotton into the supply chains, causing an intense increase in demand.

Further, several companies identifying the widespread benefits of the product have used it in a majority of company’s portfolios. This, along with the growing concerns and regulations for environmental sustainability and health, will positively affect the product demand. Moreover, the consumers are increasingly adopting responsible practices and are willing to pay for the high cost of organic products. This, along with rising cotton prices, is further driving the market.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

High Price of Organic Cotton Impacts Market Growth

The primary restraining factor to the market is the high cost of cottonseed, farming process, and raw materials. Organic cotton is generally more expensive than conventional equivalents due to the high economies necessary to cultivate cotton and underdeveloped technology for the management of the crop yield. Also, there are chances of infection to affect the cotton crop yield. Moreover, organic farming is more expensive than conventional farming, and organic fibers are also costly to manufacture. As per textile exchange, companies are willing to adopt organic type of cotton in their product; however, the supply is short to meet the demand. Also, organic clothing retailers find it costly to advertise and market the product, which further adds to the final product cost. Organic clothing manufacturers and retailers are also confronting challenges with the growing demand that cannot match the incoming supply. This increasing gap between supply and demand further restrains the product demand.

Organic Cotton Market Segmentation Analysis

By Type Analysis

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Middle Staple Cotton Segment Represented Dominant Share in Market

Based on material, the market is segmented into long-staple cotton, short-staple cotton, middle staple cotton, extra-long staple cotton, and others.

The middle staple cotton or American upland cotton segment dominated the market as it is used for making clothes, bags, shoes, hats, and other wearables. The fibers are of the length between 0.75″-1.25″ having a wide range of properties applicable for producing several kinds of apparel. Moreover, the recyclable nature of organic cotton lowers the effect on the environment, thereby further leading to its use for packaging. The fabric made from long-staple cotton has a smooth surface with lesser showing fiber ends that don’t tear and lasts longer. This type is used for producing luxurious cotton products such as designer clothes, bags, and shoes. Increasing preference toward expensive goods from upper-middle-class consumers is driving the market.

Extra-long staple cotton segment growth can be attributed to the shift to more sustainable solutions to lower pollution rates. The extra-long fiber is resistant to breaking and tearing, making the fabric resilient and keeping the form to last. It is used to manufacture goods, such as rugs, blankets, carpets, and curtains, that require longer shelf life and increasing home décor activities are surging the product demand. Short-staple cotton and others segments include fibers under the length of 1” and are used to make coarse fabric for medical and packaging applications. Rising consumer awareness regarding sustainable packaging and stopping the use of plastic are creating product demand.

By Quality Type Analysis

Upland Cotton Segment Maintained Largest Value in Market

Based on quality type, the market is segmented into supima/pima, upland, giza, and others.

Upland cotton holds the largest value in the global market due to the high demand for short and middle staple fiber for producing clothing products such as t-shirts, socks, pants, and scarves. Moreover, rising awareness among consumers and retailers and several fashion brands using organic materials that adopted a cleaner and greener apparel production process are driving the segment. The supima/pima consists of extra-long fibers used to make dresses, suits, blankets, and shawls as it is easily processed and spun. This cotton quality type is also used for making comfort products such as pillows, bedsheets, blankets, and shawls. Growing consumer demand for better quality products for home use is driving the segment. Giza and others segments consist of extra-long staple cotton with uniformity and fineness in the fiber. They are used for luxury goods and sportswear. Growing disposable income of consumers and increasing conversion to organic high-end sustainable goods is driving the product demand.

By Application Analysis

Apparel Segment had Largest Share in Market

Based on application, the market is categorized into apparel, packaging, and others.

The apparel segment accounted for the largest market in 2020 and is expected to continue its dominance during the forecast period. The segment includes daily wear, outerwear clothing, and other body & hair accessories. The raised concerns among consumers and governments regarding the environment due to textile waste generation have led to the adoption of biodegradable and more environmentally friendly clothing. This increasing demand acts as a driving factor for the market.

The packaging segment growth can be associated with product use as packaging solutions for various cosmetics and high-end goods to reduce the effect of plastic and improve the e-commerce sector. Cotton is used as packaging products that include drawstring muslin bags, cosmetic bags, tote bags, and others. The augmenting e-commerce industry is creating market growth opportunities.

The others segment includes the product use in medical, home furnishing, and cosmetic applications. This includes manufacturing sanitary wear, medical tape and bandage, wipes for cleaning wounds, and home furnishing used in bedsheets, curtains, towels, and other products. Medical and consumer goods industries are on the rise due to rapid population growth, which is driving the segment.

REGIONAL INSIGHTS

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The market in Asia Pacific stood at USD 731.6 million in 2023. The region has the largest organic cotton market share in the global market due to high demand for sustainable cotton solutions from several end-use industries such as medical, apparel, and cosmetics. Moreover, many cotton producers and consumers are based in the region, making locally available products at lower prices. This acts as a benefitting factor toward more product consumption and an easier shift from conventional cotton.

Organic cotton demand in North America is rising due to rapidly growing medical and cosmetic industries. These industries are growing rapidly due to technological advancement and innovation supported by a higher economy. Many technologies are being developed to reduce waste generated by medical and cosmetic industries, and the adoption of methods is creating opportunities in the current market.

The packaging consumption in Europe can be attributed to many high-end luxury brands preparing to expand the regional distribution system. The demand is solid from the fashion industry due to numerous governmental regulations for environmental protection and consumer awareness for sustainable clothing. These factors and the Europe market being completely open, with no import duties or export subsidies on organically produced cotton are driving the market.

The market in Latin America is expected to have substantial growth, which can be associated with industrialization supported by economic & technological development. Moreover, vast agricultural land available for crop production further drives the market. In the Middle East & Africa, product demand can be attributed to the growing economy and improving lifestyle requiring high-quality and luxurious products. Further, the region is also a significant producer of Egyptian and Giza cotton, leading to cost-effective cotton production, thereby supporting the market in the region.

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List of Key Companies in Organic Cotton Market

Development of Strategies by the Key Industry Players in the Market to Reinforce Positions

The major players operating in the market are Cargill Incorporated, Plexus Cotton Ltd., Staple Cotton Cooperative Association, Calcot Ltd., The Rajlakshmi Cotton Mills (P) Limited, and Remei AG. The company profiles are associations or organizations that undertake farmers producing cotton and providing certified organic cotton to textile product manufacturers. The organizations are adopting strategies such as increasing investment, improving high-quality seed supply, and introducing advanced farming methods and equipment for increasing global production. They are also enhancing their presence and attaining a competitive advantage.

LIST OF KEY COMPANIES PROFILED

• Cargill Incorporated (U.S.)


• Plexus Cotton Ltd. (U.K.)


• Staple Cotton Cooperative Association (U.S.)


• Calcot Ltd. (U.S.)


• The Rajlakshmi Cotton Mills (P) Limited (India)


• Remei AG (Switzerland)


• Arvind Limited(India)


• Noble Ecotech (India)


• Louis Dreyfus Company (Netherlands)


• Texas Organic Cotton Marketing Cooperative (U.S.)

REPORT COVERAGE

An Infographic Representation of Organic Cotton Market

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The global report delivers a detailed value chain analysis of the market and focuses on crucial aspects such as leading companies, applications, and types. Also, the report offers insights into market trends and highlights vital industry developments. In addition to the factors mentioned above, the report encompasses various factors that have contributed to the growth of the market in recent years.

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Report Scope & Segmentation