From our underwear to activewear, cotton is the most common thread at Bonds. We’re proud to use Home Grown Aussie Cotton in some of our products and support the fabric of Australia – ensuring more than 1200 cotton farming families in NSW, Queensland and Victoria are supported.

That’s why it’s so important that we are working with Cotton Australia to source sustainable raw fibres that have a proven track record in water efficiency – achieving a 40% increase in water productivity since 2003 and producing “more crop per drop” at two and a half times the world’s average conventional cotton yields.

Cotton Australia produce high quality cotton and the partnership supports our local Aussie farmers – it’s a win-win.

Today we chat with Hanes Australasia General Manager Brands for Apparel Group, Emily Small, about Bonds’ ongoing partnership with Cotton Australia.

Q: What’s the status of cotton farming in Australia?

A: Here is a brief snapshot: in a non-drought year, the Aussie cotton-growing industry employs over 10,000 people. Ninety percent of farms are owned and operated by local families, who produce some of the highest quality cotton in the world, all while using less water, less chemicals and healthier soils than a decade ago.

Q: What water efficiencies does the Aussie cotton industry employ?

A: The good news is that today the industry needs 40% less water to grow one tonne of cotton lint in Australia compared to 2003. Growers are constantly finding new ways to improve how they manage their water resources - some of these ways include redesigning fields and implementing soil moisture probes.

Q: How is water allocated to farmers?

A: Water is allocated annually to farmers by the Australian state and territory governments. Depending on conditions such as drought, water allocations for farmers may not be fixed. So far in 2019, we are experiencing drought conditions, so in some areas the water allocation has been reduced from last year.

Q: Why does Bonds source Australian cotton?

A: It’s simple, really. We use Aussie cotton because it supports our farmers. Ninety percent of cotton farms across Australia are owned and operated by local families. Not only do they produce some of the world’s highest quality cotton, Aussie farmers work to a set of environmental and ethical standards, which allows us to participate in an industry that is continuously striving for better practices.

Q: What’s the difference between using Aussie cotton versus other types of cotton?

A: One word, quality. Being some of the purest cotton in the world, Aussie cotton offers a level of quality that is unparalleled so you can be sure than any Aussie cotton piece you buy from us is soft and durable. Today we source a majority of our cotton from global markets, but we have plans in place to increase our use of Aussie cotton into the future. Want to learn more? Find out more about Australian cotton on the Cotton Australia website.