Better Cotton and the Cotton Egypt Association (CEA) renewed their strategic partnership at a meeting last week in Cairo.
Hosted by Better Cotton, the world’s largest sustainability initiative, and CEA, the event brought the two groups together with Better Cotton’s Egyptian program partners, Alkan, El Ekhlas and Modern Nile, and a number of retailers and brand members in addition to some members’ suppliers.
The two partners restated their commitment to enhancing the yields and sustainability credentials of Egyptian cotton, while discussing what is required to increase the uptake of more sustainable cotton sourced from within the country. They also pledged to ensure fair working conditions for farmers and laborers.
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Rachel Beckett, Better Cotton senior program manager, said the event provided a moment to reflect on the progress Better Cotton and CEA have made through the partnership so far and what potential it has going forward.
“It provided the opportunity for direct dialogue between Better Cotton producers, supply chain actors and key stakeholders from the British retail industry,” she said. “It is anticipated that it will result in increased demand for more sustainably produced Egyptian cotton.”
Invited guests also saw a demonstration by farmers of sustainable agricultural practices at a Better Cotton licensed farm in Kafr El Saad, in the northern region of the country. Better Cotton members and guests were able to engage with the farmers and workers, and discuss the challenges and opportunities in sustainable farming.
Khaled Schuman, CEA executive director, noted that the occasion was a fruitful event celebrating the years of dedication, collaboration and hard work that brought sustainable cotton to where it is today.
“The great interest shown by retailers—and the support we have from all stakeholders in attendance—will pave the way for more access, more production of Egyptian sustainable cotton with Better Cotton’s standards, and more uptake from retailers,” he said.
Better Cotton has 2.2 million licensed farmers in 26 countries around the world. Over the course of the 2020-2021 season, licensed farmers grew 4.7 million metric tons of cotton, accounting for 20 percent of global cotton production. In Egypt alone, the 3,589 licensed farmers there grew some 2,413 metric tons of the fiber under the organization’s guidelines in the 2021-22 season.
