Supima is a non-profit trade association in the United States whose main objective is to promote the use of U.S. grown American Pima cotton around the world[1] and is involved in quality assurance and research programs. Founded in 1954, it derived its name from superior pima.[2]
Supima licenses about 600 selected high-quality mills, textile and clothing manufacturers, and brands/retailers to use the SUPIMA® trademark. Members finance the activities of Supima by payments calculated on a "per bale" basis.
Its other activities include:
The Board of Directors of Supima is made up of American Pima growers from Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas.[3]
Production of Supima cotton has risen from about 100,000 bales per year in the 1980s to over 800,000 bales in 2006. More than 90% of Supima cotton is exported from the United States, the majority of this being for the overseas manufacture of yarn, finished fabrics, clothing, sheets and towels which are re-exported to the United States for sale. The top five importers of Supima cotton are China, India, Pakistan, Turkey, and Peru.