The history of Sea Island cotton dates back to a period long before it was known as such. The variety is known as Gossypium barbadense and has its origins in South America, situated near the current borders of Peru and Ecuador.
It subsequently spread through the Lesser Antilles to the West Indies, where it was first encountered by Europeans upon Columbus's arrival in the Bahamas in 1492. Following the British advance in the 17th century, the cultivation of cotton flourished, and the Barbadense variety of cotton, renowned for its soft texture, remained a dominant force in British production. The Barbadense variety of cotton, which was difficult to obtain, established itself as a rare and mysterious commodity.
However, during the islands' turbulent history, the Barbadense, which was difficult to cultivate, was replaced by sugarcane and low-grade cotton, which were easier to grow. As a result, commercial cultivation of the Barbadense in the West Indies declined for a time.
Instead, from the late 18th century onwards, cultivation began to flourish in the Sea Islands region of Georgia in the United States. The Barbadense variety grown in this region also continued to be a source of interest, and it came to be known as Sea Island cotton. However, in the early 20th century, commercial cultivation of this cotton declined due to pest damage.
The 1980s saw a resurgence of interest in commercial cultivation, with the first new plantations established in New Mexico. A research program in extra-long staple cotton was established at a local state university, laying the groundwork for the revival of Sea Island cotton. We joined this program with seeds from the Caribbean. After more than a decade of trial cultivation, Sea Island cotton is now being grown commercially on U.S. soil for the first time in nearly 100 years.