ITC publications bring the business voice to sustainable trade, with a focus on developing countries. We offer guidance for trade policymakers, business support organizations and small firms. Our reports offer insights to make trade more inclusive, green, digital and competitive.
A comparison of sustainability schemes, as well as an overview of the trends in the markets for specialty and sustainable coffees. Coffee niche markets provide opportunities for producers in developing countries to increase their incomes. This paper, drawn from ITC’s new book on the coffee trade,...
Climate change creates risks for agrifood exporters as extreme weather events and rising temperatures disrupt supply chains and reduce productivity. Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises also face risks from new policies, regulations and technologies designed to address climate change. Some...
Coffee is the world's most important agricultural crop in terms of trade volumes; it is exported by 60 countries and is one of the few major commodities grown predominantly by smallholder farmers. This report: presents an overview of the market trends for coffee certified as ‘sustainable’ over...
This report identifies how World Trade Organization negotiators and signatories can mainstream gender considerations through the negotiations on Investment Facilitation for Development (IFD). It examines policies and regulations that can encourage investment that attracts women-owned businesses and...
Medicinal and aromatic plants are key ingredients to food, cosmetic and medicinal consumer products. The medicinal plants market alone was valued at over $3 billion in 2015 and is expanding as the use of natural ingredients grows. This guide provides all that an exporter needs to describe a...
This paper aims to guide exporters of agricultural products through the process of product carbon footprinting so as to make it easier for them to understand the processes involved, improve their environmental performance and ultimately to reduce the costs for their business. This paper presents a...
Climate change is reducing the competitiveness of agricultural exports from developing countries as far apart as Peru and Uganda, according to an ITC survey of agri-food exporters in these countries. The exporters call on their governments to integrate climate change into long-term,...
This report provides policymakers with recommendations on how to build the resilience of women-led businesses in the long term. This includes policy actions to improve the competitiveness of women-led businesses, address the barriers they face when participating in trade, and make the...
This report supports the World Trade Organization (WTO) Informal Working Group on Trade and Gender by offering an analytical framework outlining trade and trade-related impacts on women (and men) through the employment, consumption and public provision channels. It presents a step-by-step approach...
This report advises governments on tackling gender inequality and promoting women’s economic empowerment when implementing the World Trade Organization Agreement on Trade Facilitation (TFA). It recommends helping women traders access vital information about their rights, border crossing times,...
The study presents the findings of ITC research on the United States market for organic food and beverages. It identifies market prospects and business opportunities for developing countries and transition economies ; gives dat alt=a on domestic production, imports/exports and market size ; outlines...
Young entrepreneurs face markedly higher barriers than their older peers to access finance and expand their business. The International Trade Centre, through its YE! Community, has surveyed young entrepreneurs to understand their main funding needs and challenges they face when trying to obtain...
