ICAC Research Review Examines Organic Cotton’s Growth, Challenges and Future Path

June 2026 edition of The ICAC Recorder evaluates scientific evidence on organic cotton, sustainability and regenerative agriculture.

The International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) has published a special edition of The ICAC Recorder titled “A Global Research Review on Organic Cotton,” offering an evidence-based analysis of organic cotton production, sustainability, certification and future development.

The review is co-authored by ICAC Chief Scientist Dr Keshav R. Kranthi and Dr Sandhya Kranthi. It examines scientific literature covering the economics of organic cotton, environmental performance, certification systems, market integrity and long-term production trends, while assessing both the opportunities and limitations associated with organic farming.

Organic Farming and Cotton Production Expand

According to the review, global organic farmland increased from approximately 14 million hectares in 2000 to 98.9 million hectares in 2023, representing 2.1% of global agricultural land and involving more than 4.3 million certified organic producers.

Organic cotton production has also expanded over the same period. Its share of global cotton production increased from 1.08% in 2009 to approximately 2.8% in 2024. Production volumes rose from 112,483 tonnes in 2015 to 659,567 tonnes in 2024, representing nearly sixfold growth over the past decade.

Key Areas Covered in the Review

The publication evaluates several aspects of organic cotton production, including:

• Profitability: Examining lower input costs and organic price premiums alongside lower transition-period yields and certification expenses.
• Agronomic Challenges: Assessing issues such as pest pressure, weed management and limited availability of organic-specific technologies.
• Environmental Benefits: Reviewing evidence related to soil health, biodiversity, ecosystem functioning, carbon sequestration, greenhouse gas mitigation and reduced dependence on purchased agrochemicals.
• Certification and Traceability: Highlighting the importance of verification systems, chain-of-custody mechanisms, audits and traceability in maintaining market credibility and consumer confidence.

Input-Based Certification and Regenerative Agriculture

The review discusses what it describes as an "input paradox" within modern sustainability systems. While organic farming was originally developed as a soil-focused production philosophy, the publication notes that many certification systems have increasingly become centred on approved and prohibited input lists.

According to the review, this development has contributed to growing interest in regenerative agriculture, which focuses on measurable outcomes such as soil carbon, biodiversity, ecosystem resilience and ecosystem function, while allowing greater flexibility in production management.

Future Direction for Sustainable Cotton

The review concludes that future progress in sustainable cotton production may depend less on distinctions between organic and conventional farming systems and more on approaches that deliver measurable improvements in soil health, farming resilience, traceability, farmer incomes and environmental performance.

The June 2026 edition of The ICAC Recorder is available through the International Cotton Advisory Committee.