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Better Cotton in Greece (Agro-2)

Greece is the largest cotton-producing country in Europe, and a major cotton exporter.

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Licensed Farmers
1,549
Tonnes of Better Cotton
1,955
Hectares Harvested

These figures are from the 2022/23 cotton season. To find out more, read our latest annual report.

Cotton is machine picked in Greece, and is recognised for its high-quality in terms of length, strength and micronaire (an indication of fibre fineness).

In 2020, Greece became a recognised Better Cotton Standard Country, and 11 Agricultural Business Groups enrolled in the AGRO-2 certification, encompassing an estimated 30,000 hectares planted and 4,000 farmers. By the end of 2022, an estimated 5,000 farmers are growing AGRO-2 licensed cotton (equivalent to Better Cotton) on 40,000 hectares, producing around 185,000 bales.

Better Cotton Partners in Greece

In October 2020, after completing a comprehensive gap analysis and benchmarking process, Better Cotton and ELGO-DOV became Strategic Partners and recognised the Greek AGRO-2 Integrated Management Standards as equivalent to the Better Cotton Standard System. Farmers enrolled and certified under the AGRO-2 standards who also elect to participate in the Better Cotton programme are eligible to sell their cotton as Better Cotton from the 2020-21 cotton season.

The AGRO-2 Integrated Management Standards were developed by the national Hellenic Agricultural Organisation, ELGO-DEMETER, a statutory body under the Ministry of Rural Development and Food. ELGO-DEMETER and the Inter- Branch Organization of Greek Cotton (DOV) (jointly ELGO-DOV) have partnered to promote and implement the AGRO-2 standards for Greek cotton production.

Sustainability challenges

Greek cotton farmers are focused on addressing two key challenges of water management and pesticide management in cotton farming. As part of the requirements of the AGRO 2 Integrated Management Standard, and in alignment with the Better Cotton Standard System, farmers are focused on continuous improvement in these areas and implementing sustainable practices to tackle these challenges.

Get in touch

Contact our team via the contact form if you’d like to learn more, become a partner or you’re a farmer interested in farming Better Cotton.