Processing

FairMatch Support works for all of the actors in a chain. Our activities per actorare singular and diverse, but never stand alone, and together result in an optimal chain. Following is a number of project examples.

Example 1: African Cashew Initiative (ACi)

• PROJECT: Local processing Cashew, part of the African Cashew Initiative chain project where FMS collaborates with all of the actors in the chain.
• FINANCIERS: 50% Public (Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, HIVOS, ICCO, GIZ)  50% Private (also including Kraft, OLAM, Intersnack, TDG, etc.)
• RESULTS: The cashew supply from the primary sector has a hard time finding its way to worldwide buyers. FMS has optimised this supply for four medium-sized and large African companies in the processing industry. This has also been realised by developing 9 co-operatives in 5 different African countries, who jointly represent 23,000 cashew growers. Improvement of processing concerns quantity as well as quantity. These 4 local processors in various countries are FLO certified with the help of FMS (fair trade). The project ensures a main improvement of productivity and the international trading position of the companies has been structurally reinforced.
• STATUS: Start of investigation and analysis in 2007. Start of the realisation in 2008. Term up to and including 2013. Objectives include further development of market position and quality improvement. Further expansion of capacity through productivity and/or number of participating companies is also ongoing.

Example 2. Organisation and quality improvement in the trade of shea nuts

• PROJECT: Linking primary shea nut producers to local industrial processor Burkarina. FMS is involved in both links in the chain.
• FINANCIERS: 60% Private; 40% Public (ICCO)
• RESULTS: For this pilot, 3,800 nut gatherers have been linked to Burkarina. The objective is to expand this collaboration to 12,000 women-gatherers. Traditional processing uses much firewood and water and puts enormous pressure on the environment. The processor uses clean and water-saving processing techniques as compared to traditional technology. FairMatch Support works with Burkarina on proper trading relations between processor  and groups of the cooperatives.  Quality and traceability are rewarded with a fair price plus bonus.

• STATUS: Successful pilot in 2010. Follow-up project with a term from 2011-2013.