Barbados’ famous cotton is now in such high demand in Europe that the company responsible for its processing and sale is pushing for an additional 170 acres of farm land to be brought into production.
Exclusive Cottons of the Caribbean Inc (ECCI) is also seeking “some additional funding” to boost the branding and overall marketing of the West Indian Sea Island Cotton grown here, while also increasing the number of items sold and made here, management told BARBADOS BUSINESS AUTHORITY.
Speaking during an interview at ECCI’s Groves, St George facility, chief executive officer (CEO) Adlai Stevenson and ginnery manager Gerard King said the island was “struggling a bit” to meet demands for the Barbados lint, some of which was repurchased after being turned into fabric.
“You can’t sell what you don’t have. We have orders and we are struggling a bit to meet the demand. Right now I believe there is more scope for the farmers [to grow more cotton] and we are going to ask the farming community to move from 280 acres this year to start to plant in August so we can have 450 acres,” Stevenson said.
Read the full story in the BARBADOS BUSINESS AUTHORITY.
