According to Textile Exchange’s 2021 Preferred Fibre and Materials Market Report, the production of raffia fibres amounts to approximately 6.5 million tonnes, around 6% of global fibre production.
What is raffia fibre? It is derived from the fibrous layer of palm leaves, differing from the fibres of other plants, such as cotton, where filaments are retrieved from seeds.
Hemp and linen are most commonly known to be used for clothing, whilst jute, for instance, is used in household materials and certain accessories. Albeit a small group of fibres, interest in them is rising, as they are known to be kind to the soil; they require little irrigation and treatment for cultivation, meaning that, if nurtured with care, they can be used for the production of low environmental impact goods.
The less known raffia fibres are increasingly gaining the attention of innovative brands and labels that are aware of its method of production and environmental benefits.
Possible course of action:
working with less known fibres - supporting rural economies and the biodiversity of these fibres - supplied via fair partnerships, which in turn uphold the wellbeing of rural communities, preserving local commerce.
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