More and more Belgian chocolatiers going from bean to bar

The production process that turns the cocoa bean into a chocolate bar requires many intermediary steps and involves multinational corporations. 

More and more chocolatiers all over the world now want to take the whole process in their own hands. Their raw material of choice is not liquid factory-supplied ‘couverture chocolate’ delivered in large cisterns, but cocoa beans which they personally select in the South. This growing group of artisanal chocolatiers – known as the bean-to-bar movement – resolutely targets quality rather than mass production and looks for top-range beans with exquisite flavours. 

Their work mostly results in a good relationship with cocoa growers and fair pay for the growers’ tough labour.

A new publication of the Trade for Development Centre

Moroccan cooperatives contribute to a sustainable future

The Souss-Massa-Drâa region in southern Morocco faces many challenges. In addition to the threat of the advancing Sahara, the traditional Berber communities are also persistently poor. 

The Trade for Development Centre has been very active in the region for several years, with on the one hand financial assistance to the local NGO Ibn Al Baytar, and on the other hand marketing support in projects of the Belgian development agency.

A sustainable future for the region inevitably depends on the development of local assets such as argan oil, dates and  saffron.

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The TDC supports Peruvian physalis producers

You have undoubtedly noticed them on supermarket shelves in the exotic fruit section: boxes of bright orange berries crowned by green-brown, papery sepals. Where do they come from and what is the story behind these ‘lanterns’? And where can we find organic and fair trade ones? We found answers to these questions in Colombia and Peru.

The farmers of San Pablo (Peru) show a strong commitment and great potential for development through trade, but a lack of resources. The TDC helps them to get a larger share of a sustainable commodity chain. How this story will evolve will be determined by many players in this chain, and eventually also by consumers.

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Market study: consumer insights to support Fairtrade actors in optimizing marketing operations in Kenya

Fairtrade, the most widely recognised ethical label in the world was launched in Kenya in 2013. That's why the TDC commissioned a study that will enable Fairtrade stakeholders to have a better understanding of consumers’ awareness and attitudes towards Fairtrade or ethical trade in general. The study highlights the shopping criteria and media consumption which define the potential for Fairtrade products in the Kenyan market.

Besides contributing to the development of a more informed marketing strategy for Fairtrade Marketing Organization Eastern Africa (FMOEA), it will benefit every local or regional stakeholder engaged in fair or ethical trade targeting the Kenyan market.

Most important results
There are indicators of a weak consumer movement in the country with an overall low knowledge of what power consumers wield over businesses. However, the market place acknowledges that peasant farmers are exploited by middlemen and companies. Overall, the market is a value market that appreciates a good mix of quality and affordable price.
There is low knowledge of ethical trade / Fairtrade in the marketplace, but the Fairtrade concept is positively accepted by the target consumers. It is found to be important, relevant and is not seen as having a major impact on the price of the goods.

Some recommendations to optimize the positive opinion towards Fairtrade
Facilitate customer education and build trust in the label:

• Explain how it will benefit the small scale farmer (for example with testimonials of small scale farmers who have benefited from the programme).
• Communicate on the quality of the products.

Localize the label to fit the culture, Africanize the marketing approach:

• Appoint local brand ambassadors.
• Use sayings such as ‘Buy Kenya, Build Kenya’.
• Quantify the percentage of price of product that goes to helping small scale farmers.

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Gender in Trade for Development Centre projects

Projects in Peru, Congo and Morocco highlight the fact that to turn fair and sustainable trade into a means of leverage in the fight against poverty and inequality reduction – which is the Trade for Development Centre's view – two questions must be kept in mind when approving projects: who does the work when producing goods and who manages the profits once the project boosts revenue?

© Twin

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Fair wages for farm labourers?

Consumers relate fair trade to products of ‘small farmers’ who work in cooperatives. This image is not really correct because already in 1994 a first large tea plantation became fair trade certified. Twenty years later fair trade labels source bananas, tea, flowers and wine from large farm businesses, while the debate whether this is the way to go is still raging. Central to the debate is the living wage concept, a fair wage for all workers – including seasonal workers.

The difficult search for fair trade gold

The production of one single golden ring generates 20 tonnes of highly toxic waste and requires 50,000 litres of water. These numbers are impressive. Also, mining companies are seldom champions in respecting the local populations.
The sector tries to redeem its negative image with standards and codes while NGOs work with cooperatives of artisanal miners towards producing fair trade gold.
The first fair trade jewels were sold in 2011, but there are still many obstacles to overcome before miners will actually enjoy a better – golden? – future.

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Fair Trade in Eastern Europe

Nearly 25 years after the fall of the Wall and the rushed transition to a free market economy, fair trade products are gradually finding their way to consumers in Eastern Europe. Step by step, with limited resources but with great enthusiasm, an ever-increasing group of activists is working on the path ahead.

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Ethical product trends in south africa 2013

This study wants to: - Understand the South African consumer concerning their awareness and perceptions on ethical products; - Comprehend how consumers shop and base their product decisions on; - Recognize the gap in the market between current and interested consumers as well as how to effectively market to these consumers.

Market research: fashion accessories and home decoration in Tanzania

  

The Trade for Development Centre published a market research on the handicraft industry in Tanzania, with the aim of obtaining data that will provide producer organizations with the information needed to formulate their sales & marketing strategy and develop their business further. The study covered the following aspects; trends, consumer profile, competitors, Sales outlets and trade chains and total market estimation.

Read it on ISSUU

 

Handicrafts industry in Tanzania

More trouble ahead for the African cotton sector

Cooperatives and fair trade go together well

For 2012 the UN focuses on cooperatives “because cooperative enterprises contribute to reducing poverty for many families and communities”.
Members of cooperatives undertake voluntarily to get associated and better pool their individual resources. This social and participatory model stands for values that perfectly suit the fair trade values: payment of a fair price and obtaining fair incomes.

Download the article of the Trade for Development Centre:
Cooperatives and fair trade

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Fair and sustainable cosmetics

Cosmetics, which are increasingly made with natural ingredients produced in Southern countries, also fall within the realm of fair and supportive trade, which ensures fairer levels of income for producers and enables them to develop while respecting the environment. But what are sustainable, fair trade, or organic cosmetics? Who certifies them?

Download the publication of the Trade for Development Centre:

Fair and sustainable cosmetics

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South-South Fair Trade

Fair trade has long been confined to solidarity through South-North trade. Recently, fair trade has started exploring “local” markets. In the South, many initiatives emerge that link producers and consumers of a same country or of neighbouring countries.

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South-South Fair Trade

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This brochure offers an analysis of the relationship between the environment and fair trade. It is a thoughtful report that should be added to the already thick file on fair trade in the 21st century, in line with the new challenges facing the world.

Download the publication of the Trade for Development Centre:  Fair trade, sustainable trade?

Read it on ISSUU