Turkey Celebrates the Success of Söke Cotton on World Cotton Day
Söke cotton, which reputation in the Aegean Region has crossed borders, made history as the first cotton product to be registered in the European Union. Turkey celebrated the success of Söke cotton on World Cotton Day.
World Cotton Day was held in Söke with wide participation with the Better Cotton Field Trip event. During the two-day field trip, which was attended by farmers and industry representatives, cotton production, ginning, cotton supply chain activities and the implementation of the Better Cotton Standard System were seen on-site in Turkey.
Stating that approximately 84% of the world’s cotton production is carried out by the top ten countries, including Turkey, Jak Eskinazi, Coordinator President of Aegean Exporters’ Associations and President of Aegean Textile and Raw Materials Exporters’ Association, said, “Turkey ranks 7th in world cotton production in the 2023/24 season. Our share in the EU market is increasing, especially with organic and sustainable production projects. In our Söke Plain, which is known for Turkey’s cotton warehouse and quality cotton production, production is carried out with good cotton practices. Geographical indication registration increases the international market value of the product, and the registered product is premium quality/premium class. Our Söke cotton, also known as “White Gold” with the fineness and durability of the yarns obtained from Söke cotton, its unique properties, fiber length, softness, high quality, and production processes, has become our 27th geographical indication registered in the European Union. We congratulate all our producers who set their hearts on cotton, especially Söke Commodity Exchange, and everyone who contributed. This registration we have received for our Söke Cotton will create more added value.” said.
Turkish Cotton became a brand with ‘GMO-Free Turkish Cotton’
Underlining that Turkey is one of the rare countries that produce non-GMO cotton, President Eskinazi explained that the only countries producing non-GMO cotton in the world are Turkey, Greece, and Spain.
Eskinazi said the following: “In our region, sustainable cotton production such as organic cotton production, better cotton, and regenerative cotton is done intensively. We are the second highest-producing country in the world after India in organic cotton production. An important point is that all of the cotton produced in Turkey is non-GMO cotton. Our brand, which was registered with the phrase “GMO-FREE Turkish Cotton”, is ready for the use of the whole sector. “GMO-FREE Turkish Cotton” has created a privileged brand for the Turkish textile industry and has provided an important status to Turkish cotton production in the world. We continue our projects related to sustainable cotton production and digital agriculture projects. By collaborating with global initiatives such as the “Better Cotton Initiative”, we are highlighting the sustainability of Turkish cotton.”
