Soft and comfortable cotton products are one of the most widely used textile materials in the world. In recent years, organic cotton, which does not use highly toxic chemicals and whose pesticide residues meet certain standards, has become increasingly popular among consumers.

According to statistics, the pesticides used in the cotton planting process are the largest among all agricultural products, such as pesticides, with an average consumption of 1.6 kg per mu, while the average consumption of vegetables and fruits per mu is 0.6 kg and 0.1 kg respectively, and that of wheat is 0.04 kg. And 76% of the pesticides are determined by the World Health Organization to be extremely toxic and dangerous.

Since the organic cotton products were put into the market in the 1990s, they have experienced a long development stage. At present, the market consumption is growing steadily, although the growth rate tends to slow down due to economic problems.

Large scale promotion of transgenic cotton

35% of the cost of cotton planting is spent on pesticides. In order to reduce the use of pesticides, the United States has vigorously developed transgenic cotton seeds and put them on the market. However, there are also studies that say that transgenic cotton can produce toxicity and kill other insects. Whether this is the reason why the United States restricts the use of transgenic cotton varieties in organic cotton planting is still uncertain.

However, the EU has authorized in June 2008 to allow the organic cotton seeds imported from BAYER Company of the United States to be sold in 27 countries for a period of 10 years, mainly as animal feed. Kenya in Africa has also started to plant genetically modified cotton, with the goal of increasing production, reducing poverty and providing cheap raw materials for local textile mills. The genetically modified cotton seed is considered as an organic cotton seed because it can reduce the use of pesticides. Kenya is recovering the cotton industry that closed down in the 1990s due to the import of second-hand clothing and other reasons. Their production target is 260000 packages.

At present, Western Australia is also planting transgenic cotton, and more than 90% of the planting area is transgenic cotton. India's MAHYCO-MONSANTO Biotechnology Co., Ltd. cooperates with American biotechnology companies at a ratio of 50:50 to promote and improve organic cotton seeds in the Indian market. In 2002, the transgenic cotton variety BOLLGARD was introduced to the Indian market, and in 2006, BOLLGARDII was introduced. According to ICAC statistics, since 1996, transgenic cotton has been planted in major cotton producing areas around the world, and now accounts for 40% of cotton planting areas. The planting distribution of transgenic cotton is about 40% in South Africa, 30-40% in India, 5-10% in China and 2% in the United States.

Sales in Switzerland are hot

Swiss residents generally have a high income level and a strong sense of environmental protection. Organic cotton products and other environmentally friendly products have a good market, especially when these products are produced in developing countries, the cost is greatly reduced, and the price of organic cotton products does not seem too high. In the survey report in 2005, COOP of Switzerland ranked among the top 5 companies in the global organic cotton sales volume.

The driving force for the expansion of planting area mainly comes from retailers. COOP (WWW. COOP. CH), which has 1500 supermarket chains, began to sell organic cotton products as early as 1995. It has a number of logo products focusing on the environment, such as Naturaline series, Naturaline series, Co2 neutral article T-shirts, and other MSF products related to fishing, as well as FSC series related to paper products. At present, the company claims to be the largest company selling organic cotton products, with more than 400 textile products, mainly organic cotton series Naturaline from India. The men's and women's underwear and women's underwear products sold in large quantities were produced in Romania, Germany, Switzerland, Cambodia, Peru, etc., and no Chinese products were found. The price of briefs is 8 Swiss francs, the price of suspenders is 13 Swiss francs, and the price of two pairs of socks for boys and girls and a bag is about 6-8 Swiss francs.

MANOR (www.manor. ch) sells baby series organic cotton intimate products, one-piece clothes, etc. in the current season, with a price of about 20 Swiss francs, which is similar to the price of ordinary materials, and the origin is India.

POINT-ECO (www.point-eco.ch), a small retail store located in Geneva, mainly sells economic and environment-friendly products. It mainly sells two series of organic cotton products: IDEO, a French brand for adults, with products from India, Cambodia and Peru; The local PATATRAC brand in Switzerland mainly produces children under 3 years of age, ordinary baby one-piece clothing is about 25 Swiss francs, and long sleeve one-piece foot covering products are 32 Swiss francs, and the products are from India.

Positive impact of the crisis

Considering that the company started business in the economic crisis, Mr. FABRICE CALAME, the boss of POINT-ECO, thinks that the impact of the economic crisis on organic products is not always negative. Maybe people will love life more, respect nature, and return to the value of products.

The retail store FOX FIBRE sells colored cotton products (www.foxfiber. com), in which FOX FIBRE is cultivated in an organic way, and the COLORGANIC series is the product with organic certification. FOX is an American brand. Its raw materials come from Turkey, Peru, Egypt, etc. Its products are designed and produced in Spain. At present, it has opened stores in France, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, etc. The company has a wide range of products, from baby clothes, socks, hats, gloves, sleeping bags, bedding and towel products, to adult underwear, bathrobes, etc., from light and thin products in spring and summer to thick sweaters and shawls in autumn and winter, totaling more than 200 varieties. This brand is aimed at middle class consumers with better income. Its products are of high quality, excellent design and high price. Infant conjoined clothes are 35 Swiss francs, and simple women's long underwear (autumn clothes) is priced at about 80 Swiss francs. The store has just opened for less than 8 months, and the monthly sales growth is about 10%. Mr. FRANKLIN RUEDA, the owner of the store, believes that despite the impact of the economic crisis, the future market should be considerable, because the attitude and demand of consumers for organic products are obvious.

In addition to the world famous chain brands, there are many brands selling organic cotton products in Switzerland, such as MANOR, the largest chain department store in Switzerland, COOP, and many small retailers selling natural fibers and products.

Soft and comfortable cotton products are one of the most widely used textile materials in the world. In recent years, organic cotton, which does not use highly toxic chemicals and whose pesticide residues meet certain standards, has become increasingly popular among consumers.