The Thing About Cotton

In a world increasingly shaped by geopolitical uncertainty, supply chain disruption, changing trade policies, and questions around resilience and traceability, some in the industry are beginning to ask whether cotton’s position may be evolving too.  Is the cotton industry acting like an NGO? Do we see opportunity for cotton amid the oil price volatility imposed by the Iran war? Is the system chang...

In this episode of The Thing About Cotton, we explore what it really takes to make regenerative cotton production a reality: from global policy frameworks to the lived experiences of farmers on the ground. As the industry pushes toward more sustainable practices, a key challenge remains: how do we bridge the gap between ambition and implementation? We begin with Tacko Ndiaye from the Food and Agri...

Representing three generations in the cotton trade, Pierre engages us with some very interesting thoughts on the evolution of the cotton trade during his career.  Both his continued passion for cotton and his overwhelming optimism are testament to a career full of amazing experiences and enduring relationships that remind us how incredible this industry really is. The ICA presidency is in good han...

Today, we’re diving into the fascinating world of fashion, textiles, and sustainability with someone who’s seen it all — from the design studio to the factory floor, and now all the way to the global stage. Our guest, Dalena, has more than 20 years of experience in clothing design, textile manufacturing, merchandising, and fashion retail sourcing. She started out on the board of a clothing factory...

This episode looks at the transformative role of cotton in global livelihoods, particularly focusing on women's empowerment in agriculture. It explores the challenges faced by women in cotton farming, the impact of climate change, and the importance of sustainable practices. As CEO of CottonConnect, Alison shares insights from her journey – via cocoa – through to the cotton industry, the initiativ...

In this informative episode, hosts Eimear McDonagh and Camille Cluzel interview Antonia Prescott, Managing Director and Editor at Cotton Outlook - the premier trade journal for the global cotton industry. Antonia shares how Cotton Outlook's A Index is built and its uses, the role of price benchmarks in today's markets, global trends in supply and demand and her own path to becoming the first women...

In this episode, hosts Eimear McDonagh and Camille Cluzel interview Eric Trachtenberg, Executive Director of the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC). From its economic importance to its impact on livelihoods around the world, Eric makes a compelling case for why cotton should be recognized as a global public good.  The conversation covers the potential of cotton to drive sustainable dev...

Sustainability stories from Pakistan In this episode of The Thing About Cotton, our hosts – Eimear McDonagh & Camille Cluzel - explore how sustainability in Pakistan's cotton industry is being driven by innovation, industry collaboration, and, most importantly, the empowerment of women. They are joined by sustainability expert Rebecca Owen From Better Cotton and Iqra Inam, Head of Sustainabili...

This episode introduces the second of our series on farming practices and looks at the world’s biggest exporter, Brazil. Fabiana Furlan has been working in the cotton business for over 14 years. She joined Scheffer in 2016 and is now the Head of Commercial, Finance and Sustainability in Brazil, responsible for sales and execution of Scheffer’s cotton, soybean and corn. In this episode, Fabiana exp...

In this episode, Joe Nicosia, Executive Vice President Louis Dreyfus Company and current Chairman of National Cotton Council, shares his insights on the crucial role of merchants in the ever-evolving cotton industry. Joe reflects on his background, the influence of strong women in his life, and the importance of diversity in business. We discuss the multifaceted responsibilities of a merchant, fro...

Featuring Jennifer Ilkiw as she discusses her role as President of ICE Futures U.S., where the benchmark price of cotton is formed every day, and her 20+ year career in global derivatives and commodity markets. Tune in to hear about ICE’s role in the cotton value chain, the evolution of technology in cotton markets and how the exchange works with the wider cotton community.

This episode introduces the first of our series on farming practices. These practices vary by region and country and are heavily influenced by climate, water availability and soil type, amongst other interesting factors. To start this series we have a wonderful second generation cotton farmer from the Darling Downs, Southeast Queensland, Australia.  Lauren Roellgen introduces us to her family’s fa...

In our inaugural episode, we welcome Kim Hanna, President of the International Cotton Association, to discuss the ICA’s role in the cotton industry, as well as her own remarkable journey to becoming the ICA’s first female President. Kim shares her experiences in navigating the primarily male-dominated industry and her efforts to promote diversity and inclusion through initiatives like Women in Cot...

This week, we are joined by Eva Bille, a director a Hill and Knowlton specializing in European sustainability practices, to investigate the shifting EU political landscape and its impact on the cotton industry. Eva's insights into key aspects of the EU Green Deal and specific policy proposals, such as the Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) methodology, shed light on sustainability initiatives a...

NEW EPISODES EVERY FEW WEEKS, SUBSCRIBE TO LISTEN Brought to you by the International Cotton Association (ICA), join various hosts from the ICA’s Women in Cotton initiative and their guests as they explore the anatomy of the cotton value chain and bring awareness to the industry through highlighting female leaders and achievement. The views in this podcast belong to the individuals featured and do...