Trade for Development Centre is a programme of Enabel, the Belgian development agency.
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More trouble ahead for the cotton sector

November 4th 2013

Cotton is one of the most widely cultivated crops worldwide. The cotton sector is subject to very unstable prices. This is especially to the disadvantage of African producer countries where cotton is often the only source of revenue for millions of farmers and workers. Moreover, the cotton sector is subject to serious environmental and health risks. To deal with these, African cotton growers must look for credible alternatives such as fairtrade and/or organic cotton.

Read more »

A new phase in the fight against illegal logging

November 4th 2013

The demand for timber and timber products is increasing worldwide. 20 to 40% of all timber imported into Europe is derived from illegal logging. The European Union could no longer remain unaware of these market-disturbing practices. After long deliberations the European Parliament and the Council approved a Regulation in 2010 that prohibits the importation of illegally-logged timber. The EU Timber Regulation enters into force on 3 March 2013.

Read more »

Tara, a small tree with a big future

November 4th 2013

The thorny Tara tree is weathered by the climate of the Peruvian high plateaus. Even before the Inca times its seeds were already used for dying fabrics, tanning leather or making medicines. Over the last few years this tree has become part of an impressive boom thanks to the growing demand for natural ingredients and raw materials in the processing industry. For some farmers’ organisations in Peru that boom is a boon.

Read more »

Fair trade in China

November 4th 2013

With almost a quarter of the global population and approximately 10% annual growth over the last 20 years, China has become the foremost power at the beginning of the third millennium. A middle class has emerged over the last years which closely resembles Europe and the United States in terms of buying behaviour. This change, which is both cultural and economic, goes hand in hand with new demands from younger generations, which are sensitive to social and environmental issues.

Read more »

Kivu-coffee: RAEK and Oxfam-Solidarity

November 3rd 2013

The Congolese province of South Kivu is known as a dangerous region where violence and looting are the order of the day. This makes it hard for local coffee growers to manage their coffee plantations or to sell their coffee at a good price. RAEK (Regroupement des Agriculteurs et Eleveurs de Kabare) was established in 1992. The organisation defends the interests of smallholders in the Kabare territory and supports their value chain activities.

Read more »

Kivu-coffee: Sopacdi and Oxfam-Wereldwinkels

November 3rd 2013

The Democratic Republic of Congo has not witnessed the same expansion of fair trade as neighbouring countries. This is mainly due to the violence that has thrown the country in a state of unrest. The situation is changing. In the province of South Kivu, a coffee cooperative, SOPACDI (Solidarité Paysanne pour la Promotion des Actions Café et Développement Intégral), has been involved for many years in an economic and social development process that is based on values of solidarity and sharing.

Read more »

Fair and sustainable trade and climate change

November 3rd 2013

“Climate change is not fair. In fact, developing countries have contributed the least to this growing problem and are currently the most affected.” This is a finding that Kyoto protocol negotiators could not negate and therefore they have made provisions for carbon credits for the South. Also the fair and sustainable trade sector is exploring how carbon credits can provide producer partners with the necessary resources to fight the negative effects of climate change.

Read more »

Fair Trade in Eastern Europe

November 3rd 2013

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.

Read more »

More trouble ahead for the cotton sector

November 4th 2013

Cotton is one of the most widely cultivated crops worldwide. The cotton sector is subject to very unstable prices. This is especially to the disadvantage of African producer countries where cotton is often the only source of revenue for millions of farmers and workers. Moreover, the cotton sector is subject to serious environmental and health risks. To deal with these, African cotton growers must look for credible alternatives such as fairtrade and/or organic cotton.

Read more »

A new phase in the fight against illegal logging

November 4th 2013

The demand for timber and timber products is increasing worldwide. 20 to 40% of all timber imported into Europe is derived from illegal logging. The European Union could no longer remain unaware of these market-disturbing practices. After long deliberations the European Parliament and the Council approved a Regulation in 2010 that prohibits the importation of illegally-logged timber. The EU Timber Regulation enters into force on 3 March 2013.

Read more »

Tara, a small tree with a big future

November 4th 2013

The thorny Tara tree is weathered by the climate of the Peruvian high plateaus. Even before the Inca times its seeds were already used for dying fabrics, tanning leather or making medicines. Over the last few years this tree has become part of an impressive boom thanks to the growing demand for natural ingredients and raw materials in the processing industry. For some farmers’ organisations in Peru that boom is a boon.

Read more »

Fair trade in China

November 4th 2013

With almost a quarter of the global population and approximately 10% annual growth over the last 20 years, China has become the foremost power at the beginning of the third millennium. A middle class has emerged over the last years which closely resembles Europe and the United States in terms of buying behaviour. This change, which is both cultural and economic, goes hand in hand with new demands from younger generations, which are sensitive to social and environmental issues.

Read more »

Kivu-coffee: RAEK and Oxfam-Solidarity

November 3rd 2013

The Congolese province of South Kivu is known as a dangerous region where violence and looting are the order of the day. This makes it hard for local coffee growers to manage their coffee plantations or to sell their coffee at a good price. RAEK (Regroupement des Agriculteurs et Eleveurs de Kabare) was established in 1992. The organisation defends the interests of smallholders in the Kabare territory and supports their value chain activities.

Read more »

Kivu-coffee: Sopacdi and Oxfam-Wereldwinkels

November 3rd 2013

The Democratic Republic of Congo has not witnessed the same expansion of fair trade as neighbouring countries. This is mainly due to the violence that has thrown the country in a state of unrest. The situation is changing. In the province of South Kivu, a coffee cooperative, SOPACDI (Solidarité Paysanne pour la Promotion des Actions Café et Développement Intégral), has been involved for many years in an economic and social development process that is based on values of solidarity and sharing.

Read more »

Fair and sustainable trade and climate change

November 3rd 2013

“Climate change is not fair. In fact, developing countries have contributed the least to this growing problem and are currently the most affected.” This is a finding that Kyoto protocol negotiators could not negate and therefore they have made provisions for carbon credits for the South. Also the fair and sustainable trade sector is exploring how carbon credits can provide producer partners with the necessary resources to fight the negative effects of climate change.

Read more »

Fair Trade in Eastern Europe

November 3rd 2013

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.

Read more »

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