Top Grade International joins the Cotton made in Africa (CmiA) initiative demand alliance. The Hong Kong based company sells clothing to wholesalers, retail chains, and specialty retailers.
With this cooperation, numerous outlets within the textile industry are enabled to source cotton with an ecological and social added value from CmiA. Through their demand, they support about 475,000 smallholder farmers who are part of CmiA.
Top Grade International's cooperation with Cotton made in Africa will enable the company to react to the growing consumer demand for sustainable products. Harald W. A. Vogt, Chief Financial Officer at Top Grade International: "We are pleased to have found a solution for procuring sustainable cotton with CmiA which is consistent with the requirements of the textile industry."
Christian Barthel, Managing Director Supply Chain at the Aid by Trade Foundation supplemented: "Top Grade International offers international procurement services worldwide and thus plays an important role for CmiA and the growth of our demand alliance."
Hebestreit, Langenzenn, plans to import products with the CmiA label through the Hollywood Solutions distribution channel and subsequently distribute them within the European Union. In addition, CmiA will be used for the Europtex Fashion distribution channel for internet, television, and mail order commerce.
Cotton made in Africa
Cotton made in Africa (CmiA) is an initiative of the Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF) that provides assistance in helping people help themselves through trade, to improve the living conditions of cotton farmers and their families in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Last year approximately 475,000 smallholder farmers in Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, and the Ivory Coast participated in the CmiA program. Through training programs, Cotton made in Africa teaches the cotton farmers about modern, efficient, and environmentally friendly cultivation methods that will help them improve the quality of their cotton, yield higher crops, and thus earn a better income.
