Türkiye to seek Better Cotton equivalence for certified domestic cotton
Türkiye’s Good Agricultural Practices-certified cotton is set to gain recognition as equivalent to the Better Cotton standard under a protocol scheduled for 6 October. The initiative also includes work on bale-level traceability and is intended to strengthen sustainable cotton supply for the textile and apparel industries.
Protocol scheduled for İzmir summit
Cotton produced in Türkiye under the country’s Good Agricultural Practices framework, known locally as İTU, is set to be recognized in international markets as equivalent to the Better Cotton Initiative standard. According to Aydın Denge, the cooperation protocol is scheduled to be signed on 6 October during the opening program of the Farm to Fashion International Summit in İzmir.
The National Cotton Council, or UPK, and the Better Cotton Initiative are due to sign the agreement. The parties aim to increase the international recognition of İTU-certified Turkish cotton and support the development of a sustainable cotton supply. The protocol will also launch work on a single-bale system intended to provide traceability for cotton produced under the national standard.
Standards mapping opens path to recognition
Türkiye created a dedicated cotton category within its Good Agricultural Practices standard to support sustainable production. Circular No. 2023/09 and the associated control points were published on 16 May 2023. A subsequent mapping exercise compared the İTU and Better Cotton criteria, identifying both common requirements and areas requiring further development.
Completion of that work has opened a path for Turkish cotton certified under İTU to be accepted as equivalent to Better Cotton in international markets. The protocol will formally begin the membership process. The initiative incorporates sustainability, traceability and responsible production criteria into the national system, while oversight by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and the assurance provided by the İTU Cotton GLOBAL certificate are expected to support implementation.
Textile supply chain could gain wider access
The agreement is expected to help Türkiye’s textile, garment and ready-to-wear industries meet demand for sustainably produced cotton. Fevzi Çondur, chairman of both the National Cotton Council and the Aydın Commodity Exchange, said production conditions, sustainability and traceability have become important in international markets alongside cotton quality. He expects the agreement to benefit the value chain from growers to industrial users and to support the global recognition and competitiveness of Turkish cotton.
Muzaffer Kayhan, chairman of the Good Cotton Practices Association, said the standards-mapping work was conducted through cooperation between UPK, which is authorized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, and the association. The broader program also gives attention to regenerative farming practices, including soil health, biodiversity protection and efficient water use. The Farm to Fashion summit will take place on 6-7 October 2026 at Kaya Thermal & Convention in İzmir. Sessions will address sustainable production, traceability and global market expectations, followed on 7 October by a field visit to a farm and a ginning facility in Bergama.
