Supima

Supima is a non-profit organisation in the United States whose main objective is to promote the use of American Pima cotton around the world and is involved in quality assurance and research programs. Founded in 1954, it derived its name from superior pima.

Supima licenses over 300 selected high-quality mills, textile and clothing manufacturers, and retailers to use the Supima® trademark. Members finance the activities of Supima by payments calculated on a "per bale" basis.

Its other activities include:
 * research programs to improve the quality of American Pima cotton
 * timely crop and market information to its grower-members and licensees
 * advertisements in both consumer and trade publications
 * presentations to customers both in the USA and abroad
 * participation in major international exhibitions and events

The Board of Directors of Supima is made up of Pima growers from Arizona, California, New Mexico and Texas.

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 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, Pakistan, India, Japan and Indonesia.