Fairtrade standards for Baobab and Marula
15.07.2010 - The Fairtrade Labelling Organisation (FLO) has developed Fairtrade standards for two new products that are particularly relevant for our region: Baobab and Marula fruits.
The standard was developed thanks to the collaboration with PhytoTrade Africa, the Southern African Natural Products Trade Association, which has made use of the newly introduced FLO "Fast Track" process to obtain a more streamlined set of standards for some of their wild harvested natural products. PhytoTrade is dedicated to the sustainable commercialization of natural products to support natural livelihoods in Southern Africa.
Improving livelihoods
In remote communities in Southern Africa, women walk from their villages to gather the fruit from baobab and marula trees on communal lands. For generations, women have been collecting these fruits to use at home or to sell in local markets to support their families. Many in the area have few possibilities for income since the land is not good for farming and most earn less than US$100 a year.
The baobab tree has become a symbol of Africa. This iconic thick-trunked tree can live up to 3000 years. The pulp and seeds inside the football-sized brown fruit are high in Vitamin C and calcium. The fruit of the marula tree is the size of a golf ball and golden yellow. It is high in oil and protein.
While local communities have many uses for the nutritious fruits, baobab and marula are also gaining popularity in international markets for use in cosmetics and specialty foods. This growing market gives the women who harvest the fruits a unique opportunity to gain greater income for themselves, their families and their communities - but only if they get a fair deal. The development of standards for baobab and marula is Fairtrade's response to this need of fair terms of trade and empowerment: with higher income, in fact, communities can even expand their operations and make the necessary investments to process the fruits themselves or improve the quality.
"PhytoTrade is thrilled with the new direction of Fairtrade standards. Wild harvesters are so often the most exploited group in any trade chain" says Marianna Smith, PhytoTrade's Certification Manager, recognising the need to provide sustainable guidelines for traders in the North to put an end to the exploitation of these harvesters. She continues, "It will make a great difference to our producers because, apart from minimum prices being introduced, a Fairtrade premium will be paid to the harvesting communities, which can be used for improving the livelihoods of the communities as a whole - not just the harvesters".
(Photos courtesy of PhytoTrade Africa)
Local harvester will soon be able to become certified, which means that they will receive a fixed Fairtrade Premium of 50% over the average market price for every kilo of fruit their sell to processor or Fairtrade certified buyers. Fairtrade producers often invest this added-income in education, healthcare or farm improvements. The Executive Director of FLSA Mr. Boudewijn Goossens comments, "we are excited to see the inclusion of baobab and marula into the FLO scope of certification. The products are significant to the region, not only because they support the livelihoods of thousands of people but also because they are part of the African culture".
For further information please visit www.fairtrade.net/standards or contact Benjamin Gatland, Standards Development Coordinator, Fairtrade Africa, +27 21 4488911, benjamin@fairtrade.org.za.
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