The Great U.S. Civil War, Native Cotton, and the Emerging Textile Industry in Peru
By James M. Vreeland, Jr.Originally published in Revista Punto & Plano, Issue 46, May 2025, pp. 22–26Translation authorized by the author. Cultivated extensively in the warm coastal valley of Piura since 1922, Pima cotton ignited a true revolution in the global textile industry. Called by many “Peru’s white gold” for its extra-long, soft, and strong […]
Consumption of Agroecological Products in Peru Grows 15% to 20% Annually
Last year, Peru had just 28 specialty stores offering agroecological products. Today, that number has risen to 112, and continues to grow. According to Moisés Quispe Quispe, Executive Director of the National Association of Ecological Producers of Peru (ANPE-Perú), the consumption of agroecological products in Peru is increasing by 15% to 20% annually. He noted […]
The Best Tour Guide in the World Is Peruvian, And His Main Office Is Machu Picchu
Some life stories are inspiring. Others are transformational. Efraín Valles’ journey is both. A native of Cusco, Efraín is a passionate tour guide, dedicated marathoner, and self-taught polyglot, all driven by resilience and purpose. “The effort Efraín puts into his work is simply outstanding. It’s as if the gold medalist can do anything. Despite a […]
Latin America Home to 400,000 Organic Farmers, But Faces Export Challenges
Latin America has become a major supplier of organic products globally, yet it still faces hurdles before it can firmly establish itself as an international organic export powerhouse. This insight comes from Juan Carlos Ramírez, president of the Board of the Inter-American Commission on Organic Agriculture (CIAO). At the commission’s recent eighth assembly in Argentina, […]
Voices of Lambayeque: Native Cotton and Artisan Heritage
San Martín de Porres University, October 26, 2016 I’d like to thank my colleague and the book’s author, Cristina Gutiérrez, for inviting me to speak before this distinguished audience and the authorities of San Martín de Porres University. It is an honor to share my experiences with Lambayeque’s native cotton and textile traditions. First and […]
Fair Trade Cloth Diapers from Peru Hit Finnish Market
Environmentally friendly cloth diapers are gaining traction in Finland. Now, a Fair Trade-certified version is available thanks to East 25 Oy, which has begun importing from Peru. The idea to produce and import washable diapers that meet Fair Trade standards originated at an informational event hosted by Finnpartnership and the Finnish Association for Fair Trade […]
EC Suspends Control Union Organic License in 5 Countries
The European Commission has officially revoked the organic certification license of Control Union in five countries, citing concerns over inadequate oversight that may have enabled organic fraud. The suspension affects Control Union’s authority to certify organic products in Russia, Turkey, Moldova, Kazakhstan, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Control Union is one of the largest […]
WFTO Summit Highlights: Fair Trade and Naturally Dyed Cotton
From September 16 to 19, the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO) held its global summit in Lima, Peru. Gathering more than 400 attendees from 76 countries, the event included fair trade buyers, NGO representatives, government officials, and leaders from international agencies like Simel Esim of the International Labour Organization and Isabel Durant of the United […]
Pima Cotton (IPA 59) Trial: A Historic Organic Harvest
In a landmark event for sustainable cotton cultivation, Dr. Juan Lazo, director of the Instituto Peruano del Algodón (IPA), visited the first experimental organic cotton field of the Pima IPA 59 variety. This innovative trial took place on the Hilbck family’s farm in Alto Piura and marked the world’s first cultivation of this promising variety […]
Qoperfina®: Copper, Cotton and Alpaca Textiles with Antiviral Power
A study published by The New England Journal of Medicine tested the viability of SARS-CoV-2 on various surfaces. It found that while the virus remained active for up to 72 hours on plastic and stainless steel, and for 24 hours on cardboard, it survived only four hours on copper—highlighting copper’s powerful antiviral properties. For over […]