The Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) has benchmarked the Greek AGRO-2 Integrated Management Standards as an equivalent to the Better Cotton Standard System. A Textilegence report says, this will promote sustainable cotton farming in Greece, Europe’s largest cotton producer. The development will enable AGRO-2 certified farmers participating in the BCI Program sell their cotton as Better Cotton from the 2020-21 cotton season. By the end of 2022, 5,000 farmers will grow AGRO-2 licensed cotton (equivalent to Better Cotton), on 40,000 hectare, producing around 185,000 bales.

The AGRO-2 Integrated Management Standards were developed by the national Hellenic Agricultural Organization, ELGO-DEMETER, a statutory body under the Ministry of Rural Development and Food. ELGO-DEMETER and the Inter-Branch Organization of Greek Cotton (DOV) – jointly ELGO-DOV – partnered to promote and implement the AGRO-2 standards for Greek cotton production.

The benchmarking of the AGRO-2 standards to the Better Cotton Standard System began in 2017 following interest expressed by Greek stakeholders. Upon completion, Greece began the official BCI country start-up process; culminating in the signing of a Strategic Partnership Agreement between BCI and ELGO-DOV; to recognize AGRO-2 certified cotton as equivalent to Better Cotton.