Cotton is Tanzanians second major export crop after coffee. Cotton maintains 48% of Tanzanian population for their source and livelihood which has led to a growing interest by farmers, governments, private stakeholders in organic cotton supply as it acts as means to poverty. Organic producing areas are characterized by poor infrastructure, lack of awareness of cotton products by consumers and poor market intelligence by traders. Over 70% of Tanzanian cotton is exported and only 30% is used locally.

Cotton is very important to Tanzania economy and was introduced around 1904 by German settlers as a plantation crop. Production of cotton started at Ukiriguru, South Lake Victoria. Organic cotton production began in 1994, and Tanzania is currently the largest producer of organic cotton fibre in Sub-Saharan, Africa ahead of Uganda.

Organic cotton farmers generally receive 20% higher prices than their conventional counterparts. The organic cotton buyers, government and policy market add fair trading commitments to organic farming by addressing some of cottons economic problems while organic farmers organizational structures strengthen communities.

Tanzania is well suited for the production of organic cotton, because of the low reliance on pesticides and inorganic fertilizer, inspection and certification are still not well developed or advanced. This has made many farmers to readily accept to produce organic cotton, but with the challenge of poorly organized supply and marketing chains.