Page 26 - May-June-2018

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Egyptian cotton production

areas expected to rise up to

400,000 feddans

On YOY basis the total cotton cultivation areas has ministry of agriculture took steps to increase
increased by 100,000 feddans to about 321,787 productivity of long-staple and medium-
feddans because of increase in demand for length cotton.
Egyptian cotton export and if the demand trend
continues the cotton production area will be around Meanwhile, according to Central Agency for Public
400,000 feddans next year. In the second quarter Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS) data, during
from December 2017 to February 2018, exports of the second quarter domestic cotton use decreased
Egyptian cotton soared by 181.6% to 370,000 tons. by 63% to 47,200 kantars compared to the usage in AD
second quarter of previous year of 127,600
In 2016 after a decrease in cotton production, the kantars.

Marks & Spencer

initiative to 100%

sustainable cotton

-BCI

M&S is on the track of making its cotton 100% happier, healthier lives and convert M&S into a
sustainable next year. More than 77% of its cotton is zero-waste business by 2025. Find out more here –
source Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) which is fewer https://corporate.marksandspencer.com/plan-a
pesticides and less water consumption. BCI is
cotton production using sustainable methods Mr Mike Barry, Director of Plan A and Sustainable
making cotton production better for the environment Business at M&S said, “Across our business we’re
as well as respects the rights and wellbeing delivering better value for our customers, cutting
of farmers. prices and improving our products. Plan A plays a
vital role in this transformation as Better Cotton
M&S in its Plan A 2018 report has published its equals better value because our customers care
annual progress figures highlighting £25.7 million about where products come from and how they are
for the welfare of community programes2, M&S produced. That’s why customers are at the heart of
83% products now have eco-friendly and ethical Plan A and why we’re helping to democratize
quality standards, 2.3 million meals for food sustainability by placing an eco-friendly or ethical
charities and 3 million clothing items used and quality into every product.”
recycled were donated.
M&S has been working with WWF since 2009,
Plan A is Marks & Spencer’s ambitious, customer supporting smallholder farmers through their
focused sustainability plan that is going to support membership of the better cotton growth and
1,000 communities, help 10 million people live innovation fund.

May/June 2018