IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v15y2022i1p700-d1021011.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Fashion Market Niches for Organic Agroforestry Cotton: Market Potential for Promoting Sustainable Supply Chains

Author

Listed:
  • Rhyllary Coelho e Silva

    (Faculty of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine, University of Brasilia, Brasília 70910-900, Brazil)

  • Ricardo de Siqueira Camargo

    (Agricultural Family School of Uirapuru Goiás, Uirapuru 76525-000, Brazil)

  • Gabriel da Silva Medina

    (Faculty of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine, University of Brasilia, Brasília 70910-900, Brazil)

  • Mariana Gatti

    (FarFarm, Av. Coronel Marcos, 483/11, Bairro Pedra Redonda, Porto Alegre 91760-000, Brazil)

  • Eva Sevigne-Itoiz

    (Centre for Environmental Policy, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Imperial College London, Weeks Building, 16-18 Princess Garden, South Kensington, London SW7 1NE, UK)

  • Lorenzo Di Lucia

    (Centre for Environmental Policy, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Imperial College London, Weeks Building, 16-18 Princess Garden, South Kensington, London SW7 1NE, UK)

  • Onesmus N. Mwabonje

    (Centre for Environmental Policy, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Imperial College London, Weeks Building, 16-18 Princess Garden, South Kensington, London SW7 1NE, UK)

Abstract

We hypothesize that Fashion brands’ demand for organic agroforestry cotton (OAC) may foster more sustainable supply chains in the cotton industry. However, to realize the potential of the OAC market, a better understanding of the market demand for OAC, as well as the quality and production standards under which the brands operate, the institutional frameworks, and the market mechanisms that underpin its commercialization, is needed. We evaluated the existing organic markets in Brazil using an interview-based methodology with key stakeholders throughout the organic cotton supply chain in 2022. Our study revealed that some brands are willing to pay prices ranging from USD$ 2.57 to USD$ 4.61 per kg of cotton lint depending on the brand. These brands require suppliers to meet quality specifications for the cotton fiber; for example, they require average to long fibers and specify harvesting practices that influence fiber quality. There are also social and environmental criteria that prioritize vulnerable communities of family farmers and women groups planting cotton based on established sustainable practices. The institutional framework includes different stakeholders throughout the organic cotton supply chain, which is fundamentally driven by private demand for cotton, counts on the support of agents connecting brands to farmers, and is indirectly supported by public policies. Existing markets for organic cotton are established via contracts that provide farmers with guarantees to invest in planting cotton and have different certification systems used by the brands that monitor and verify adherence to the standards. Market demand for OAC may, therefore, potentially lead to new markets that promote sustainable supply chains and farming practices. However, existing markets for organic cotton reveal complex requirements that must be addressed, such as the need for supporting agents connecting brands to farmers, and market mechanisms, such as complex contracts and certification.

Suggested Citation

  • Rhyllary Coelho e Silva & Ricardo de Siqueira Camargo & Gabriel da Silva Medina & Mariana Gatti & Eva Sevigne-Itoiz & Lorenzo Di Lucia & Onesmus N. Mwabonje, 2022. "Fashion Market Niches for Organic Agroforestry Cotton: Market Potential for Promoting Sustainable Supply Chains," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-17, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2022:i:1:p:700-:d:1021011
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/1/700/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/1/700/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Zoe Mellick & Alice Payne & Laurie Buys, 2021. "From Fibre to Fashion: Understanding the Value of Sustainability in Global Cotton Textile and Apparel Value Chains," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-21, November.
    2. Min Zhao & Weijian Guo, 2022. "Does Land Certification Stimulate Farmers’ Entrepreneurial Enthusiasm? Evidence from Rural China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-23, September.
    3. Esteve-Turrillas, F.A. & de la Guardia, M., 2017. "Environmental impact of Recover cotton in textile industry," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 116(C), pages 107-115.
    4. Shah Fahad & Sangram Bhanudas Chavan & Akash Ravindra Chichaghare & Appanderanda Ramani Uthappa & Manish Kumar & Vijaysinha Kakade & Aliza Pradhan & Dinesh Jinger & Gauri Rawale & Dinesh Kumar Yadav &, 2022. "Agroforestry Systems for Soil Health Improvement and Maintenance," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(22), pages 1-25, November.
    5. Craig R. Elevitch & D. Niki Mazaroli & Diane Ragone, 2018. "Agroforestry Standards for Regenerative Agriculture," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-21, September.
    6. Gabriel Medina & Cassio Pereira & Joice Ferreira & Erika Berenguer & Jos Barlow, 2022. "Searching for Novel Sustainability Initiatives in Amazonia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-13, August.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. André Eduardo Biscaia Lacerda & Ana Lúcia Hanisch & Evelyn Roberta Nimmo, 2020. "Leveraging Traditional Agroforestry Practices to Support Sustainable and Agrobiodiverse Landscapes in Southern Brazil," Land, MDPI, vol. 9(6), pages 1-19, June.
    2. Karuppanan Ramasamy Ramesh & Harshavardhan Krishnarao Deshmukh & Karthikeyan Sivakumar & Vipan Guleria & Rathod Digvijaysinh Umedsinh & Nathakrishnan Krishnakumar & Alagesan Thangamalar & Kathirvel Su, 2023. "Influence of Eucalyptus Agroforestry on Crop Yields, Soil Properties, and System Economics in Southern Regions of India," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-20, February.
    3. Ammara Saleem & Asma Zulfiqar & Baber Ali & Manal Ahmed Naseeb & Arwa Saad Almasaudi & Steve Harakeh, 2022. "Iron Sulfate (FeSO 4 ) Improved Physiological Attributes and Antioxidant Capacity by Reducing Oxidative Stress of Oryza sativa L. Cultivars in Alkaline Soil," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-16, December.
    4. Dong Chen & Kangning Xiong & Juan Zhang, 2022. "Progress on the Integrity Protection in the Natural World Heritage Site and Agroforestry Development in the Buffer Zone: An Implications for the World Heritage Karst," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(24), pages 1-18, December.
    5. Georgios Archimidis Tsalidis, 2022. "Human Health and Ecosystem Quality Benefits with Life Cycle Assessment Due to Fungicides Elimination in Agriculture," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(2), pages 1-12, January.
    6. Angelica Melone & Leah L. Bremer & Susan E. Crow & Zoe Hastings & Kawika B. Winter & Tamara Ticktin & Yoshimi M. Rii & Maile Wong & Kānekoa Kukea-Shultz & Sheree J. Watson & Clay Trauernicht, 2021. "Assessing Baseline Carbon Stocks for Forest Transitions: A Case Study of Agroforestry Restoration from Hawaiʻi," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-17, February.
    7. Asifa Naz & Ansa Rebi & Raheela Naz & Muhammad Usman Akbar & Ana Aslam & Amina Kalsom & Abid Niaz & Muhammad Ibrar Ahmad & Shahrish Nawaz & Rizwana Kausar & Baber Ali & Muhammad Hamzah Saleem & Jinxin, 2023. "Impact of Green Manuring on Health of Low Fertility Calcareous Soils," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-13, February.
    8. Kelly R. Wilson & Robert L. Myers & Mary K. Hendrickson & Emily A. Heaton, 2022. "Different Stakeholders’ Conceptualizations and Perspectives of Regenerative Agriculture Reveals More Consensus Than Discord," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(22), pages 1-14, November.
    9. Gabriel da Silva Medina & Claudio Wilson Soares Barbosa, 2023. "The Neglected Solutions: Local Farming Systems for Sustainable Development in the Amazon," World, MDPI, vol. 4(1), pages 1-18, March.
    10. Achokh, Yuri R., 2020. "Improvement of the economic efficiency of protective forest plantations in the agricultural sector of the Russian Federation," Economic Consultant, Roman I. Ostapenko, vol. 29(1), pages 39-48.
    11. Jawad Ali & Ibadullah Jan & Hidayat Ullah & Shah Fahad & Shah Saud & Muhammad Adnan & Baber Ali & Ke Liu & Matthew Tom Harrison & Shah Hassan & Sunjeet Kumar & Muhammad Amjad Khan & Muhammad Kamran & , 2023. "Biochemical Response of Okra ( Abelmoschus esculentus L.) to Selenium (Se) under Drought Stress," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-15, March.
    12. Zouhair Elkhlifi & Jerosha Iftikhar & Mohammad Sarraf & Baber Ali & Muhammad Hamzah Saleem & Irshad Ibranshahib & Mozart Daltro Bispo & Lucas Meili & Sezai Ercisli & Ehlinaz Torun Kayabasi & Naser Ale, 2023. "Potential Role of Biochar on Capturing Soil Nutrients, Carbon Sequestration and Managing Environmental Challenges: A Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-18, January.
    13. Gilbert Moyen Massa & Vasiliki-Maria Archodoulaki, 2024. "An Imported Environmental Crisis: Plastic Mismanagement in Africa," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(2), pages 1-18, January.
    14. Tuğçe Demirdelen & İnayet Özge Aksu & Kübra Yilmaz & Duygu Durdu Koç & Miray Arikan & Arif Şener, 2023. "Investigation of the Carbon Footprint of the Textile Industry: PES- and PP-Based Products with Monte Carlo Uncertainty Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-22, September.
    15. Yudha Kristanto & Suria Tarigan & Tania June & Bambang Sulistyantara & Pini Wijayanti, . "Indirect use value of improved soil health as natural capital that supports essential ecosystem services: A case study of cacao agroforestry," Agricultural Economics, Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 0.
    16. Shuang Chen & Fangli Chen & Lisha Zhu & Qizheng Li & Xiaopeng Wang & Laili Wang, 2023. "A Spatial Water Footprint Assessment of Recycled Cotton T-Shirts: Case of Local Impacts in Selected China Provinces," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-15, January.
    17. Osama Tahir & Sajid Ali Khan Bangash & Muhammad Ibrahim & Sana Shahab & Sahir Hameed Khattak & Israr Ud Din & Muhammad Nauman Khan & Aqsa Hafeez & Sana Wahab & Baber Ali & Rania M. Makki & Steve Harak, 2022. "Evaluation of Agronomic Performance and Genetic Diversity Analysis Using Simple Sequence Repeats Markers in Selected Wheat Lines," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-20, December.
    18. Kurniawati, 2023. "Sustainable Textile Practices by Integrated Viscose Rayon and Yarn Producers: An Empirical Study," GATR Journals jfbr210, Global Academy of Training and Research (GATR) Enterprise.
    19. Yudha Kristanto & Suria Tarigan & Tania June & Bambang Sulistyantara & Pini Wijayanti, 2024. "Indirect use value of improved soil health as natural capital that supports essential ecosystem services: A case study of cacao agroforestry," Agricultural Economics, Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 70(3), pages 137-154.
    20. Arash Najmaei & Zahra Sadeghinejad, 2023. "Green and sustainable business models: historical roots, growth trajectory, conceptual architecture and an agenda for future research—A bibliometric review of green and sustainable business models," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 128(2), pages 957-999, February.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2022:i:1:p:700-:d:1021011. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.