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#Natural Fibers

ICAC releases 2025 edition of the Specialty Cotton Report

The ICAC has released the newest edition of the Specialty Cotton Report, a free publication that was created in 2023 to highlight the many new "identity cotton programs" that have been emerging around the world, in addition to covering long-staple (LS) and extra-long staple (ELS) cotton. For the ICAC's purposes, "specialty cotton" refers to any cotton that is remarkable in some way — LS, ELS, or falls under a specific identity program.

The publication opens with a letter from the editor, Economic Affairs Officer Parkhi Vats, who highlights the modern consumer — one who values fair wages for producers and genuinely cares about the environmental impacts of the products they buy.

“The sector embraced climate change and sustainability more closely and saw the rise of the new value-oriented consumer who demands cotton that is climate friendly, sustainable, ensures fair prices to its producers, supports livelihoods and gender equality, and protects the environment,” Ms Vats says.

© 2025 ICAC
© 2025 ICAC


After an overview of the global long- and extra-long staple cottons and the primary countries that produce it, Ms Vats highlights the major identity cottons, including:

Australia's myBMP;

Better Cotton Initiative and equivalents;

Brazil's ABR program;

Cotton made in Africa;

CottonConnect's REEL;

Regenerative Organic Alliance; and

US Cotton Trust Protocol.

© 2025 ICAC
© 2025 ICAC



To read the 2025 ICAC Specialty Cotton Report, pleased click the link below:

https://icac.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/SCR2025.pdf



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