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.
Sustainability initiatives are more effective and efficient when they fully engage the middle tiers of supply chains.Those creating sustainability initiatives (a standards-setting organization, government or company) will find useful guidance, including corporate approaches to sustainable sourcing,...
The first global data report on fast-growing voluntary sustainability standards outlines the share of bananas, cocoa, coffee, cotton, forestry, palm oil, soybeans, cane sugar and tea in 14 major standards. The report is based on a partnership between the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture...
This study reviews the global market for sustainably wild-collected botanical ingredients from China. China produces many plant-based herbal medicines and ingredients, consumed within China and worldwide. The study promotes recognition and implementation of sustainable wild-collection standards and...
The design of governance structure of social and environmental sustainability standards determines how accessible they are to producers in developing countries.The increase in consumer demand for sustainable trade has given rise to a growing array of social and environmental standards. This joint...
Trade in biodiversity generates income for some of the world’s poorest people, while also contributing to wildlife conservation. Two reports on python skin exports in Peninsular Malaysia and Viet Nam outline how this trade from wild-harvested and captive-bred sources creates employment and reduces...
The question of how standards impact trade is more relevant than ever. Against the background of a world economy that is global in scope and organization with economic activities being spread across national boundaries, the liberalization of trade has been one factor contributing to a policy shift...
This report on the ITC World Export Development Forum on Consumers, Ethics and Environment (October 2008), reflects on what ethical trade means, the growth in the global fair trade and ethical markets, how entrepreneurs in developing countries can break into these markets, and what trade support...
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...
Trade in biodiversity generates income for some of the world’s poorest people, while also contributing to wildlife conservation. Two reports on python skin exports in Peninsular Malaysia and Viet Nam outline how this trade from wild-harvested and captive-bred sources creates employment and reduces...
The demand for organic wild collected products is significant. Products for direct food consumption, such as berries, nuts, mushrooms and a large number of herbs are the main items. This publication discusses terminology used in wild collection, gives an overview of organic and other standards that...
This report has been prepared by the ITC Technical Assistance Team to provide a background to the current state of play of organic agriculture in Thailand, and offers an assessment of key issues for the supply chain, including production, marketing, research, training and extension...
While standards play an increasingly important role in international trade and global value chains, little is known about their actual impacts in these chains. By applying a systematic literature approach, The Impacts of Private Standards on Global Value Chains aims to apply the key research...
