Only Doubles African Organic Cotton Volume

Oct 18, 2024

Only, the Bestseller-owned women’s fashion and denim brand, has more than doubled the volume of organic cotton sourced from African farmers since 2023.

The company reported that the brand facilitated the sourcing of almost 3,400 tonnes of African organic cotton from farmers in Africa. The cotton was sourced using a direct-to-farm model and verified organic by Cotton made in Africa (CmiA), an initiative of the Aid by Trade Foundation.

This milestone represents the first time that such a quantity of organic cotton sourced from Africa is being used for Bestseller’s products. The CmiA Organic verified cotton was used in Only’s popular Blush and Power denim lines. The two products are part of Only’s NOOS (Never Out Of Stock) collections, which offer seasonless pieces in high demand and are a cornerstone of the brand’s business.

“With a brand the size of Only, we have the capacity to make an impact by increasing the volume of organic cotton produced in Africa. We have doubled the volume used in products and are committed to increasing our investments to meet our sustainability goals,” said Finn Poulsen, Only’s brand director.

The Danish company partners with CmiA to bridge both ends of the supply chain, ensuring the smooth flow of organic cotton from African farmers to ginners and spinners, and then through cotton traders to fabric mills and finally to manufacturers who produce Only jeans.

“Collaboration is key to driving meaningful impact and building integrity in our organic cotton supply chains,” said said Jonas Meier Sørensen, Only’s buying manager. “By supporting organic farmers, we address the challenges of the global organic cotton market and ensure the authenticity of our materials. Working with CmiA, we directly support making organic farming an attractive choice for farmers in Africa and can address our social and environmental impact.”

Bestseller, which also owns Jack & Jones, Vero Moda, Noisy May and more, has several initiatives in place to promote responsible cotton sourcing. The company also contributed financial support to improve educational and water infrastructure in cotton farming communities in Benin in West Africa.

Cotton accounts for more than 40 percent of all the material used in Bestseller’s products. The company’s goal it to source 30 percent of its entire cotton supply from organic or in-conversion cotton by 2025. In 2023-24, Bestseller doubled the amount of organic cotton used in products.

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