About Bananas

Bananas are thought to have originated in the jungles of Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines in Southeast Asia where many varieties of wild banana still grow. They were spread across Asia by travellers and brought to Africa by Arabs where they were given their present name, derived from the Arabic for finger.

What goes into growing a banana?

Bananas require moist soil with good drainage and are grown in tropical regions with average temperatures of 27°C and annual rainfall of 200-250 cm. Banana growing is labour intensive since the plants require individual care to produce the required quality fruit: clearing away jungle growth, propping to counter bending of the plant from the weight of the growing fruit and irrigation during the dry season.

Plantations are the predominant production model for export bananas in Latin America and increasingly in Africa and Asia. Large export plantations can be up to 5,000 hectares in size and practice monoculture, their banana trees stretching for mile after mile and, and are usually controlled or operated by national companies or large transnational corporations. They require huge investment in infrastructure and technology for transport, irrigation, drainage, cableways and packing facilities. This production model benefits from economies of scale – high volumes mean lower unit costs and lower shipping costs, and lower labour costs contribute to lower export prices.

Banana production by multinationals in some Latin American countries has been linked to a high level of human rights violations. The dire conditions and violation of core labour standards on plantations in Ecuador, Guatemala, Costa Rica and elsewhere in Latin America, have been exposed by campaign organisations like Banana Link and documented in several films. They report poverty-level wages that fail to cover basic needs of food, clothing and education; rudimentary housing; workers toiling for 10-12 hours a day up to six days a week in oppressive heat and humidity; unpaid overtime; increasing casualisation of labour and lack of job security with a prevalence of short-term contracts or daily hiring.

Small-scale or smallholder banana production is generally more labour-intensive and much less capital-intensive than on plantations. In general, small producers have difficulties gaining the economies of scale necessary to be competitive with large farms and lack access to new technologies, tools and knowledge that large farms receive via the multinational companies that buy their fruit. This means they don’t gain economically through the banana trade that is dominated by plantations and exporters, ripeners and retailers. They also battle with the growing impact of climate change that has resulted in erratic rain patterns, hurricanes and new diseases that have had a disastrous effect on the Windward Islands, for example.

What difference does Fairtrade make?

Fairtrade works with small-scale banana farmers and with workers employed on large banana plantations. There are currently 21,700 banana farmers and plantation workers participating in Fairtrade in 69 certified co-operatives and 54 certified plantations.

Fairtrade Standards are designed to improve employment conditions and protect the rights of workers on certified plantations and to support certified farmers to increase their incomes and gain more control within the banana supply chains.

Fairtrade Standards for bananas act as a safety net against the unpredictable market, aiming to ensure growers are paid a price that covers their average costs of production. The Fairtrade Minimum Price for bananas is set by region to reflect the varying costs of sustainable production. Producer organisations supplying Fairtrade markets also receive a Fairtrade Premium payment of US $1/box (or US $55/tonne) which is earmarked for business and community investment. In 2013-14, Fairtrade Premiums amounted to almost £15 million for certified producers. Of this, small producer organisations earned £10 million in premiums of which 36% was directly invested in services for farmers.

Fairtrade has specific standards for plantations that support worker organisation and representation, enabling them to negotiate with management and progress towards living wage benchmarks . Workers need strong organisations to represent them in these negotiations. Our new Hired Labour Standard greatly strengthens workers’ Freedom of Association in practice including the right to be part of registered trade unions. We also changed the rules for usage of the Fairtrade Premium, so workers can now spend up to 20% of the Premium on cash payments or in-kind benefits, or up to 50% if the majority are migrant workers. Fairtrade Premium continues to support much-needed social investment projects for worker communities such as building schools to support children’s education and in 2013-14 workers invested 34% of their Premium in improving worker housing.

A recent study conducted by CODER (the Corporation for Rural Business Development, Colombia) with Fairtrade certified smallholder banana farmers in Colombia concluded that ‘Fairtrade has increased smallholder income and its stability, has lowered production and agricultural-service costs, and has improved the access to credit, thus reducing their cash flow or liquidity problems.’ According to the survey, that covered nearly 80% of all certified banana farmers in the country, farmers said that their affiliation to Fairtrade had increased their household income by an average 34%. 98% of farmers also said that their quality of life had improved since joining Fairtrade.

The study also researched the difference Fairtrade makes to workers on certified banana plantations - 52% of workers interviewed said that their housing had improved with the help of Fairtrade Premiums and all workers on Fairtrade plantations studied had employment contracts, in contrast with just 16% noted on non-Fairtrade plantations. You can read the full study here.

Working to end Britain’s bruising banana wars

Despite the achievements of Fairtrade, Britain’s supermarket price wars are trapping tens of thousands of banana farmers and workers in an unrelenting cycle of poverty.

In February 2014, the Fairtrade Foundation launched a new campaign, ‘Make Bananas Fair’, which asks the UK public to help end the supermarket price wars, and includes a petition asking the government to urgently step in and investigate the impact of retailer pricing practices.

Our report Britain’s Bruising Banana Wars revealed that, in the past 10 years, the UK supermarket sector has almost halved the shelf price of loose bananas while the cost of producing them has doubled. We now typically pay 11p for a loose banana compared with 18p a decade ago, while, for comparison, a loose apple grown in the UK now costs 20p. Meanwhile, living costs have rocketed for banana farmers and workers in the three countries that supply 70 per cent of the UK’s bananas.

The report further exposes the real impact British supermarket price wars are having on banana farmers and workers and their families. The resulting drop in export prices for bananas in producing countries means an ever-tightening squeeze on what producers earn for their bananas. This, combined with escalating production and living costs, means many farmers and workers’ standards of living have progressively worsened in the past decade.

The unrelenting downward pressure on banana prices has driven a shift in many banana producing countries towards job losses, the casualisation of labour and the marginalisation of smallholder producers. It makes it much harder for farmers and workers to achieve the improvements they badly need in wages, access to services like education and healthcare and improved housing, as well as environmental sustainability in banana production.

Aimeth Fernandez Angulo - ASOBANARCOOP, Colombia

Aimeth Fernández Angulo is a banana farmer and manager of ASOBANARCOOP, a growers’ co-operative in Magdalena, Colombia.

About Aimeth

Aimeth grows bananas on her small farm of 1.3 hectares which produces around 67 boxes (1.2 tonnes) of bananas a week. She has also been employed by ASOBANARCOOP for 26 years, using her skills as a trained economist with extensive knowledge of Quality Management Systems (QMS) and extensive experience in business management. Aimeth has risen from head of administration to manager of the co-operative where her role includes ensuring the organisation continues to meet Fairtrade and GlobalGap certification standards. Aimeth is a member of the Education Committee which organises various training programmes funded by the Fairtrade Premium. As a member of her co-operative’s education committee, Aimeth works directly with Fairtrade on health issues, environmental workshops and programmes aimed specifically at the elderly and children

Background to ASOBANARCOOP

ASOBANARCOOP was set up in 1987 by 17 small-scale farmers who formed an association to collectively export their bananas and improve their livelihoods. The association was formally registered as a co-operative in 2002 and now has 44 members, including 11 women, who farm a total of 135 hectares. The average farm size is three hectares with an average annual yield of 30 tonnes of bananas per hectare, providing 80% of farmers’ incomes. The co-operative now has five full-time employees while farmers employ 58 permanent and 673 seasonal and temporary workers for the weekly harvest and associated packing activities.

The banana industry traditionally provides around 80% of employment in Magdalena but large-scale palm oil plantations are now displacing bananas with the loss of many jobs. Farmers are under constant pressure to sell their land to big business and some unscrupulous landowners are grabbing water resources and diverting water from farmers’ land to force them to sell.

Climate change is increasingly affecting productivity – farmers face drought or water shortages and contend with adverse weather conditions, particularly strong winds and heavy rains and floods which damage crops. They are also affected by the economic situation of the country and constant revaluation of the Colombian peso. The long-term armed conflict in the region continues to generate a climate of fear and the real threat of extortion by armed criminal gangs.

Fairtrade Partnership

n recent years banana producers in the region suffered an economic crisis, mainly related to market demands for producers to meet sustainable certification and quality requirements. ASOBANARCOOP has put in place a strategy for the economic and social development of members and their communities which included becoming Fairtrade certified in 2006 and the following year being certified by GlobalGap, the food safety and hygiene standard required by European retailers including UK supermarkets. With the support of the Fairtrade Premium, the co-operative has been able to strengthen and support its members in improving farm infrastructure, retaining certifications and marketing their bananas on better terms.

Total annual production varies between 210,000 and 315,000 boxes, depending on growing conditions. The standard box is 18.14kg so this equates to 3,800 to 5,700 tonnes. Fairtrade sales now account for around 90% of the total, with ASOBANARCOOP Fairtrade bananas available in The Co-operative, Sainsbury’s and Spar. Fairtrade sales include payment based on the Fairtrade Minimum Price that covers costs of production and an additional Fairtrade Premium of $1.00 per box for ASOBANARCOOP to invest in business and community development.

In a recent survey members were asked about the impact of Fairtrade on their lives. It found that family incomes have increased by an average of 30% as a result of Fairtrade sales, with farmers being paid at least $1.00 more per box for Fairtrade bananas that year (2012). Almost 50% of members are aged over 60 and more than 90% agree that the extra income and other benefits of Fairtrade contribute greatly to making family agriculture more attractive to younger people.

More than 90% of members also said their quality of life has improved and they have greater control over their futures and those of their children.

Meeting Fairtrade Standards was reported to have a positive impact on the environment, leading to improvements in farm infrastructure, productivity and banana quality. The decision to end the use of agro-chemicals to protect the environment has increased local employment as more workers are hired to help with manual weeding. Hired workers also benefit from higher wages, provision of personal protective equipment and access to good quality health services.

Members meet regularly to decide how to use the Fairtrade Premium, with selected projects being managed by an elected committee. The various business and social projects include:

Business

• Financial contribution to Fairtrade and GlobalGap certification and audit costs.
• Construction of a central warehouse to store fertilisers, inputs and tools.
• Programme to distribute subsidised fertiliser, other inputs and equipment to improve productivity.
• Technical training in sustainable practices and modern technologies has increased yields by 9% a year.
• Modern irrigation systems installed on 31 farms.
• Digging and clearing of drainage canals on members’ farms.
• Soil analysis on members’ farms to improve soil fertility.
• Electricity supply extended to more farms.
• Improvements to local roads. 

Social

• Health brigades – medical teams organised to carry out health checks and eye tests in the community.
• Loans for education costs and housing improvements e.g. roofs, kitchens, bathroom facilities.
• Training programmes for members and the community on environmental protection, minimising use of agro-chemicals, improving access to safe drinking water.
• Emergency fund and practical assistance for victims of floods and other natural disasters.
• Home garden scheme to improve nutrition of senior citizens.
• Supporting cultural activities e.g. folk music performances.

Alexis Martinez Palacios - Agrosiete, Colombia

Alexis Martinez Palacios is a full-time worker in the packing facility of Agrosiete, a banana plantation located in Urabá, Colombia.

About Alexis

Alexis, 36, has worked for Agrosiete since 2007. He lives with his partner, Deyanira, and their 13-year-old daughter, Wendy, and three-year-old son, Snayder. Alexis studied agronomy – the science of growing plants for food and other uses - for two terms at university in 2008 and has taken a number of external courses ranging from firefighting to labour law and import/export procedures.

Alexis is currently the elected president of the Agrosiete Joint Body, which manages projects funded by the Fairtrade Premium. He represents workers at various Fairtrade workshops in Colombia every year and has also participated in international Fairtrade events held in Peru, Ecuador and the Dominican Republic where workers’ representative met to discuss topics such as the management of premium projects and the scope and implementation of employment contracts.

Background to Agrosiete

ASOBANARCOOP was set up in 1987 by 17 small-scale farmers who formed an association to collectively export their bananas and improve their livelihoods. The association was formally registered as a co-operative in 2002 and now has 44 members, including 11 women, who farm a total of 135 hectares. The average farm size is three hectares with an average annual yield of 30 tonnes of bananas per hectare, providing 80% of farmers’ incomes. The co-operative now has five full-time employees while farmers employ 58 permanent and 673 seasonal and temporary workers for the weekly harvest and associated packing activities.

The banana industry traditionally provides around 80% of employment in Magdalena but large-scale palm oil plantations are now displacing bananas with the loss of many jobs. Farmers are under constant pressure to sell their land to big business and some unscrupulous landowners are grabbing water resources and diverting water from farmers’ land to force them to sell.

Climate change is increasingly affecting productivity – farmers face drought or water shortages and contend with adverse weather conditions, particularly strong winds and heavy rains and floods which damage crops. They are also affected by the economic situation of the country and constant revaluation of the Colombian peso. The long-term armed conflict in the region continues to generate a climate of fear and the real threat of extortion by armed criminal gangs.

Fairtrade Partnership

n recent years banana producers in the region suffered an economic crisis, mainly related to market demands for producers to meet sustainable certification and quality requirements. ASOBANARCOOP has put in place a strategy for the economic and social development of members and their communities which included becoming Fairtrade certified in 2006 and the following year being certified by GlobalGap, the food safety and hygiene standard required by European retailers including UK supermarkets. With the support of the Fairtrade Premium, the co-operative has been able to strengthen and support its members in improving farm infrastructure, retaining certifications and marketing their bananas on better terms.

Total annual production varies between 210,000 and 315,000 boxes, depending on growing conditions. The standard box is 18.14kg so this equates to 3,800 to 5,700 tonnes. Fairtrade sales now account for around 90% of the total, with ASOBANARCOOP Fairtrade bananas available in The Co-operative, Sainsbury’s and Spar. Fairtrade sales include payment based on the Fairtrade Minimum Price that covers costs of production and an additional Fairtrade Premium of $1.00 per box for ASOBANARCOOP to invest in business and community development.

In a recent survey members were asked about the impact of Fairtrade on their lives. It found that family incomes have increased by an average of 30% as a result of Fairtrade sales, with farmers being paid at least $1.00 more per box for Fairtrade bananas that year (2012). Almost 50% of members are aged over 60 and more than 90% agree that the extra income and other benefits of Fairtrade contribute greatly to making family agriculture more attractive to younger people.

More than 90% of members also said their quality of life has improved and they have greater control over their futures and those of their children.

Meeting Fairtrade Standards was reported to have a positive impact on the environment, leading to improvements in farm infrastructure, productivity and banana quality. The decision to end the use of agro-chemicals to protect the environment has increased local employment as more workers are hired to help with manual weeding. Hired workers also benefit from higher wages, provision of personal protective equipment and access to good quality health services.

Members meet regularly to decide how to use the Fairtrade Premium, with selected projects being managed by an elected committee. The various business and social projects include:

Business

• Financial contribution to Fairtrade and GlobalGap certification and audit costs.
• Construction of a central warehouse to store fertilisers, inputs and tools.
• Programme to distribute subsidised fertiliser, other inputs and equipment to improve productivity.
• Technical training in sustainable practices and modern technologies has increased yields by 9% a year.
• Modern irrigation systems installed on 31 farms.
• Digging and clearing of drainage canals on members’ farms.
• Soil analysis on members’ farms to improve soil fertility.
• Electricity supply extended to more farms.
• Improvements to local roads. 

Social

• Health brigades – medical teams organised to carry out health checks and eye tests in the community.
• Loans for education costs and housing improvements e.g. roofs, kitchens, bathroom facilities.
• Training programmes for members and the community on environmental protection, minimising use of agro-chemicals, improving access to safe drinking water.
• Emergency fund and practical assistance for victims of floods and other natural disasters.
• Home garden scheme to improve nutrition of senior citizens.
• Supporting cultural activities e.g. folk music performances.

BANAFRUCOOP, Colombia

Aimeth Fernández Angulo is a banana farmer and manager of ASOBANARCOOP, a growers’ co-operative in Magdalena, Colombia.

About Aimeth

Aimeth grows bananas on her small farm of 1.3 hectares which produces around 67 boxes (1.2 tonnes) of bananas a week. She has also been employed by ASOBANARCOOP for 26 years, using her skills as a trained economist with extensive knowledge of Quality Management Systems (QMS) and extensive experience in business management. Aimeth has risen from head of administration to manager of the co-operative where her role includes ensuring the organisation continues to meet Fairtrade and GlobalGap certification standards. Aimeth is a member of the Education Committee which organises various training programmes funded by the Fairtrade Premium. As a member of her co-operative’s education committee, Aimeth works directly with Fairtrade on health issues, environmental workshops and programmes aimed specifically at the elderly and children

Background to ASOBANARCOOP

ASOBANARCOOP was set up in 1987 by 17 small-scale farmers who formed an association to collectively export their bananas and improve their livelihoods. The association was formally registered as a co-operative in 2002 and now has 44 members, including 11 women, who farm a total of 135 hectares. The average farm size is three hectares with an average annual yield of 30 tonnes of bananas per hectare, providing 80% of farmers’ incomes. The co-operative now has five full-time employees while farmers employ 58 permanent and 673 seasonal and temporary workers for the weekly harvest and associated packing activities.

The banana industry traditionally provides around 80% of employment in Magdalena but large-scale palm oil plantations are now displacing bananas with the loss of many jobs. Farmers are under constant pressure to sell their land to big business and some unscrupulous landowners are grabbing water resources and diverting water from farmers’ land to force them to sell.

Climate change is increasingly affecting productivity – farmers face drought or water shortages and contend with adverse weather conditions, particularly strong winds and heavy rains and floods which damage crops. They are also affected by the economic situation of the country and constant revaluation of the Colombian peso. The long-term armed conflict in the region continues to generate a climate of fear and the real threat of extortion by armed criminal gangs.

Fairtrade Partnership

n recent years banana producers in the region suffered an economic crisis, mainly related to market demands for producers to meet sustainable certification and quality requirements. ASOBANARCOOP has put in place a strategy for the economic and social development of members and their communities which included becoming Fairtrade certified in 2006 and the following year being certified by GlobalGap, the food safety and hygiene standard required by European retailers including UK supermarkets. With the support of the Fairtrade Premium, the co-operative has been able to strengthen and support its members in improving farm infrastructure, retaining certifications and marketing their bananas on better terms.

Total annual production varies between 210,000 and 315,000 boxes, depending on growing conditions. The standard box is 18.14kg so this equates to 3,800 to 5,700 tonnes. Fairtrade sales now account for around 90% of the total, with ASOBANARCOOP Fairtrade bananas available in The Co-operative, Sainsbury’s and Spar. Fairtrade sales include payment based on the Fairtrade Minimum Price that covers costs of production and an additional Fairtrade Premium of $1.00 per box for ASOBANARCOOP to invest in business and community development.

In a recent survey members were asked about the impact of Fairtrade on their lives. It found that family incomes have increased by an average of 30% as a result of Fairtrade sales, with farmers being paid at least $1.00 more per box for Fairtrade bananas that year (2012). Almost 50% of members are aged over 60 and more than 90% agree that the extra income and other benefits of Fairtrade contribute greatly to making family agriculture more attractive to younger people.

More than 90% of members also said their quality of life has improved and they have greater control over their futures and those of their children.

Meeting Fairtrade Standards was reported to have a positive impact on the environment, leading to improvements in farm infrastructure, productivity and banana quality. The decision to end the use of agro-chemicals to protect the environment has increased local employment as more workers are hired to help with manual weeding. Hired workers also benefit from higher wages, provision of personal protective equipment and access to good quality health services.

Members meet regularly to decide how to use the Fairtrade Premium, with selected projects being managed by an elected committee. The various business and social projects include:

Business

• Financial contribution to Fairtrade and GlobalGap certification and audit costs.
• Construction of a central warehouse to store fertilisers, inputs and tools.
• Programme to distribute subsidised fertiliser, other inputs and equipment to improve productivity.
• Technical training in sustainable practices and modern technologies has increased yields by 9% a year.
• Modern irrigation systems installed on 31 farms.
• Digging and clearing of drainage canals on members’ farms.
• Soil analysis on members’ farms to improve soil fertility.
• Electricity supply extended to more farms.
• Improvements to local roads. 

Social

• Health brigades – medical teams organised to carry out health checks and eye tests in the community.
• Loans for education costs and housing improvements e.g. roofs, kitchens, bathroom facilities.
• Training programmes for members and the community on environmental protection, minimising use of agro-chemicals, improving access to safe drinking water.
• Emergency fund and practical assistance for victims of floods and other natural disasters.
• Home garden scheme to improve nutrition of senior citizens.
• Supporting cultural activities e.g. folk music performances.

Bananeras de Urabá, Colombia

Aimeth Fernández Angulo is a banana farmer and manager of ASOBANARCOOP, a growers’ co-operative in Magdalena, Colombia.

About Aimeth

Aimeth grows bananas on her small farm of 1.3 hectares which produces around 67 boxes (1.2 tonnes) of bananas a week. She has also been employed by ASOBANARCOOP for 26 years, using her skills as a trained economist with extensive knowledge of Quality Management Systems (QMS) and extensive experience in business management. Aimeth has risen from head of administration to manager of the co-operative where her role includes ensuring the organisation continues to meet Fairtrade and GlobalGap certification standards. Aimeth is a member of the Education Committee which organises various training programmes funded by the Fairtrade Premium. As a member of her co-operative’s education committee, Aimeth works directly with Fairtrade on health issues, environmental workshops and programmes aimed specifically at the elderly and children

Background to ASOBANARCOOP

ASOBANARCOOP was set up in 1987 by 17 small-scale farmers who formed an association to collectively export their bananas and improve their livelihoods. The association was formally registered as a co-operative in 2002 and now has 44 members, including 11 women, who farm a total of 135 hectares. The average farm size is three hectares with an average annual yield of 30 tonnes of bananas per hectare, providing 80% of farmers’ incomes. The co-operative now has five full-time employees while farmers employ 58 permanent and 673 seasonal and temporary workers for the weekly harvest and associated packing activities.

The banana industry traditionally provides around 80% of employment in Magdalena but large-scale palm oil plantations are now displacing bananas with the loss of many jobs. Farmers are under constant pressure to sell their land to big business and some unscrupulous landowners are grabbing water resources and diverting water from farmers’ land to force them to sell.

Climate change is increasingly affecting productivity – farmers face drought or water shortages and contend with adverse weather conditions, particularly strong winds and heavy rains and floods which damage crops. They are also affected by the economic situation of the country and constant revaluation of the Colombian peso. The long-term armed conflict in the region continues to generate a climate of fear and the real threat of extortion by armed criminal gangs.

Fairtrade Partnership

n recent years banana producers in the region suffered an economic crisis, mainly related to market demands for producers to meet sustainable certification and quality requirements. ASOBANARCOOP has put in place a strategy for the economic and social development of members and their communities which included becoming Fairtrade certified in 2006 and the following year being certified by GlobalGap, the food safety and hygiene standard required by European retailers including UK supermarkets. With the support of the Fairtrade Premium, the co-operative has been able to strengthen and support its members in improving farm infrastructure, retaining certifications and marketing their bananas on better terms.

Total annual production varies between 210,000 and 315,000 boxes, depending on growing conditions. The standard box is 18.14kg so this equates to 3,800 to 5,700 tonnes. Fairtrade sales now account for around 90% of the total, with ASOBANARCOOP Fairtrade bananas available in The Co-operative, Sainsbury’s and Spar. Fairtrade sales include payment based on the Fairtrade Minimum Price that covers costs of production and an additional Fairtrade Premium of $1.00 per box for ASOBANARCOOP to invest in business and community development.

In a recent survey members were asked about the impact of Fairtrade on their lives. It found that family incomes have increased by an average of 30% as a result of Fairtrade sales, with farmers being paid at least $1.00 more per box for Fairtrade bananas that year (2012). Almost 50% of members are aged over 60 and more than 90% agree that the extra income and other benefits of Fairtrade contribute greatly to making family agriculture more attractive to younger people.

More than 90% of members also said their quality of life has improved and they have greater control over their futures and those of their children.

Meeting Fairtrade Standards was reported to have a positive impact on the environment, leading to improvements in farm infrastructure, productivity and banana quality. The decision to end the use of agro-chemicals to protect the environment has increased local employment as more workers are hired to help with manual weeding. Hired workers also benefit from higher wages, provision of personal protective equipment and access to good quality health services.

Members meet regularly to decide how to use the Fairtrade Premium, with selected projects being managed by an elected committee. The various business and social projects include:

Business

• Financial contribution to Fairtrade and GlobalGap certification and audit costs.
• Construction of a central warehouse to store fertilisers, inputs and tools.
• Programme to distribute subsidised fertiliser, other inputs and equipment to improve productivity.
• Technical training in sustainable practices and modern technologies has increased yields by 9% a year.
• Modern irrigation systems installed on 31 farms.
• Digging and clearing of drainage canals on members’ farms.
• Soil analysis on members’ farms to improve soil fertility.
• Electricity supply extended to more farms.
• Improvements to local roads. 

Social

• Health brigades – medical teams organised to carry out health checks and eye tests in the community.
• Loans for education costs and housing improvements e.g. roofs, kitchens, bathroom facilities.
• Training programmes for members and the community on environmental protection, minimising use of agro-chemicals, improving access to safe drinking water.
• Emergency fund and practical assistance for victims of floods and other natural disasters.
• Home garden scheme to improve nutrition of senior citizens.
• Supporting cultural activities e.g. folk music performances.

Dorothy Agard - WINFA, St Lucia

Aimeth Fernández Angulo is a banana farmer and manager of ASOBANARCOOP, a growers’ co-operative in Magdalena, Colombia.

About Aimeth

Aimeth grows bananas on her small farm of 1.3 hectares which produces around 67 boxes (1.2 tonnes) of bananas a week. She has also been employed by ASOBANARCOOP for 26 years, using her skills as a trained economist with extensive knowledge of Quality Management Systems (QMS) and extensive experience in business management. Aimeth has risen from head of administration to manager of the co-operative where her role includes ensuring the organisation continues to meet Fairtrade and GlobalGap certification standards. Aimeth is a member of the Education Committee which organises various training programmes funded by the Fairtrade Premium. As a member of her co-operative’s education committee, Aimeth works directly with Fairtrade on health issues, environmental workshops and programmes aimed specifically at the elderly and children

Background to ASOBANARCOOP

ASOBANARCOOP was set up in 1987 by 17 small-scale farmers who formed an association to collectively export their bananas and improve their livelihoods. The association was formally registered as a co-operative in 2002 and now has 44 members, including 11 women, who farm a total of 135 hectares. The average farm size is three hectares with an average annual yield of 30 tonnes of bananas per hectare, providing 80% of farmers’ incomes. The co-operative now has five full-time employees while farmers employ 58 permanent and 673 seasonal and temporary workers for the weekly harvest and associated packing activities.

The banana industry traditionally provides around 80% of employment in Magdalena but large-scale palm oil plantations are now displacing bananas with the loss of many jobs. Farmers are under constant pressure to sell their land to big business and some unscrupulous landowners are grabbing water resources and diverting water from farmers’ land to force them to sell.

Climate change is increasingly affecting productivity – farmers face drought or water shortages and contend with adverse weather conditions, particularly strong winds and heavy rains and floods which damage crops. They are also affected by the economic situation of the country and constant revaluation of the Colombian peso. The long-term armed conflict in the region continues to generate a climate of fear and the real threat of extortion by armed criminal gangs.

Fairtrade Partnership

n recent years banana producers in the region suffered an economic crisis, mainly related to market demands for producers to meet sustainable certification and quality requirements. ASOBANARCOOP has put in place a strategy for the economic and social development of members and their communities which included becoming Fairtrade certified in 2006 and the following year being certified by GlobalGap, the food safety and hygiene standard required by European retailers including UK supermarkets. With the support of the Fairtrade Premium, the co-operative has been able to strengthen and support its members in improving farm infrastructure, retaining certifications and marketing their bananas on better terms.

Total annual production varies between 210,000 and 315,000 boxes, depending on growing conditions. The standard box is 18.14kg so this equates to 3,800 to 5,700 tonnes. Fairtrade sales now account for around 90% of the total, with ASOBANARCOOP Fairtrade bananas available in The Co-operative, Sainsbury’s and Spar. Fairtrade sales include payment based on the Fairtrade Minimum Price that covers costs of production and an additional Fairtrade Premium of $1.00 per box for ASOBANARCOOP to invest in business and community development.

In a recent survey members were asked about the impact of Fairtrade on their lives. It found that family incomes have increased by an average of 30% as a result of Fairtrade sales, with farmers being paid at least $1.00 more per box for Fairtrade bananas that year (2012). Almost 50% of members are aged over 60 and more than 90% agree that the extra income and other benefits of Fairtrade contribute greatly to making family agriculture more attractive to younger people.

More than 90% of members also said their quality of life has improved and they have greater control over their futures and those of their children.

Meeting Fairtrade Standards was reported to have a positive impact on the environment, leading to improvements in farm infrastructure, productivity and banana quality. The decision to end the use of agro-chemicals to protect the environment has increased local employment as more workers are hired to help with manual weeding. Hired workers also benefit from higher wages, provision of personal protective equipment and access to good quality health services.

Members meet regularly to decide how to use the Fairtrade Premium, with selected projects being managed by an elected committee. The various business and social projects include:

Business

• Financial contribution to Fairtrade and GlobalGap certification and audit costs.
• Construction of a central warehouse to store fertilisers, inputs and tools.
• Programme to distribute subsidised fertiliser, other inputs and equipment to improve productivity.
• Technical training in sustainable practices and modern technologies has increased yields by 9% a year.
• Modern irrigation systems installed on 31 farms.
• Digging and clearing of drainage canals on members’ farms.
• Soil analysis on members’ farms to improve soil fertility.
• Electricity supply extended to more farms.
• Improvements to local roads. 

Social

• Health brigades – medical teams organised to carry out health checks and eye tests in the community.
• Loans for education costs and housing improvements e.g. roofs, kitchens, bathroom facilities.
• Training programmes for members and the community on environmental protection, minimising use of agro-chemicals, improving access to safe drinking water.
• Emergency fund and practical assistance for victims of floods and other natural disasters.
• Home garden scheme to improve nutrition of senior citizens.
• Supporting cultural activities e.g. folk music performances.

Foncho Cantillo - Coobafrio Co-operative, Colombia

Aimeth Fernández Angulo is a banana farmer and manager of ASOBANARCOOP, a growers’ co-operative in Magdalena, Colombia.

About Aimeth

Aimeth grows bananas on her small farm of 1.3 hectares which produces around 67 boxes (1.2 tonnes) of bananas a week. She has also been employed by ASOBANARCOOP for 26 years, using her skills as a trained economist with extensive knowledge of Quality Management Systems (QMS) and extensive experience in business management. Aimeth has risen from head of administration to manager of the co-operative where her role includes ensuring the organisation continues to meet Fairtrade and GlobalGap certification standards. Aimeth is a member of the Education Committee which organises various training programmes funded by the Fairtrade Premium. As a member of her co-operative’s education committee, Aimeth works directly with Fairtrade on health issues, environmental workshops and programmes aimed specifically at the elderly and children

Background to ASOBANARCOOP

ASOBANARCOOP was set up in 1987 by 17 small-scale farmers who formed an association to collectively export their bananas and improve their livelihoods. The association was formally registered as a co-operative in 2002 and now has 44 members, including 11 women, who farm a total of 135 hectares. The average farm size is three hectares with an average annual yield of 30 tonnes of bananas per hectare, providing 80% of farmers’ incomes. The co-operative now has five full-time employees while farmers employ 58 permanent and 673 seasonal and temporary workers for the weekly harvest and associated packing activities.

The banana industry traditionally provides around 80% of employment in Magdalena but large-scale palm oil plantations are now displacing bananas with the loss of many jobs. Farmers are under constant pressure to sell their land to big business and some unscrupulous landowners are grabbing water resources and diverting water from farmers’ land to force them to sell.

Climate change is increasingly affecting productivity – farmers face drought or water shortages and contend with adverse weather conditions, particularly strong winds and heavy rains and floods which damage crops. They are also affected by the economic situation of the country and constant revaluation of the Colombian peso. The long-term armed conflict in the region continues to generate a climate of fear and the real threat of extortion by armed criminal gangs.

Fairtrade Partnership

n recent years banana producers in the region suffered an economic crisis, mainly related to market demands for producers to meet sustainable certification and quality requirements. ASOBANARCOOP has put in place a strategy for the economic and social development of members and their communities which included becoming Fairtrade certified in 2006 and the following year being certified by GlobalGap, the food safety and hygiene standard required by European retailers including UK supermarkets. With the support of the Fairtrade Premium, the co-operative has been able to strengthen and support its members in improving farm infrastructure, retaining certifications and marketing their bananas on better terms.

Total annual production varies between 210,000 and 315,000 boxes, depending on growing conditions. The standard box is 18.14kg so this equates to 3,800 to 5,700 tonnes. Fairtrade sales now account for around 90% of the total, with ASOBANARCOOP Fairtrade bananas available in The Co-operative, Sainsbury’s and Spar. Fairtrade sales include payment based on the Fairtrade Minimum Price that covers costs of production and an additional Fairtrade Premium of $1.00 per box for ASOBANARCOOP to invest in business and community development.

In a recent survey members were asked about the impact of Fairtrade on their lives. It found that family incomes have increased by an average of 30% as a result of Fairtrade sales, with farmers being paid at least $1.00 more per box for Fairtrade bananas that year (2012). Almost 50% of members are aged over 60 and more than 90% agree that the extra income and other benefits of Fairtrade contribute greatly to making family agriculture more attractive to younger people.

More than 90% of members also said their quality of life has improved and they have greater control over their futures and those of their children.

Meeting Fairtrade Standards was reported to have a positive impact on the environment, leading to improvements in farm infrastructure, productivity and banana quality. The decision to end the use of agro-chemicals to protect the environment has increased local employment as more workers are hired to help with manual weeding. Hired workers also benefit from higher wages, provision of personal protective equipment and access to good quality health services.

Members meet regularly to decide how to use the Fairtrade Premium, with selected projects being managed by an elected committee. The various business and social projects include:

Business

• Financial contribution to Fairtrade and GlobalGap certification and audit costs.
• Construction of a central warehouse to store fertilisers, inputs and tools.
• Programme to distribute subsidised fertiliser, other inputs and equipment to improve productivity.
• Technical training in sustainable practices and modern technologies has increased yields by 9% a year.
• Modern irrigation systems installed on 31 farms.
• Digging and clearing of drainage canals on members’ farms.
• Soil analysis on members’ farms to improve soil fertility.
• Electricity supply extended to more farms.
• Improvements to local roads. 

Social

• Health brigades – medical teams organised to carry out health checks and eye tests in the community.
• Loans for education costs and housing improvements e.g. roofs, kitchens, bathroom facilities.
• Training programmes for members and the community on environmental protection, minimising use of agro-chemicals, improving access to safe drinking water.
• Emergency fund and practical assistance for victims of floods and other natural disasters.
• Home garden scheme to improve nutrition of senior citizens.
• Supporting cultural activities e.g. folk music performances.

Juliet Arku-Mensah - VREL, Ghana

Aimeth Fernández Angulo is a banana farmer and manager of ASOBANARCOOP, a growers’ co-operative in Magdalena, Colombia.

About Aimeth

Aimeth grows bananas on her small farm of 1.3 hectares which produces around 67 boxes (1.2 tonnes) of bananas a week. She has also been employed by ASOBANARCOOP for 26 years, using her skills as a trained economist with extensive knowledge of Quality Management Systems (QMS) and extensive experience in business management. Aimeth has risen from head of administration to manager of the co-operative where her role includes ensuring the organisation continues to meet Fairtrade and GlobalGap certification standards. Aimeth is a member of the Education Committee which organises various training programmes funded by the Fairtrade Premium. As a member of her co-operative’s education committee, Aimeth works directly with Fairtrade on health issues, environmental workshops and programmes aimed specifically at the elderly and children

Background to ASOBANARCOOP

ASOBANARCOOP was set up in 1987 by 17 small-scale farmers who formed an association to collectively export their bananas and improve their livelihoods. The association was formally registered as a co-operative in 2002 and now has 44 members, including 11 women, who farm a total of 135 hectares. The average farm size is three hectares with an average annual yield of 30 tonnes of bananas per hectare, providing 80% of farmers’ incomes. The co-operative now has five full-time employees while farmers employ 58 permanent and 673 seasonal and temporary workers for the weekly harvest and associated packing activities.

The banana industry traditionally provides around 80% of employment in Magdalena but large-scale palm oil plantations are now displacing bananas with the loss of many jobs. Farmers are under constant pressure to sell their land to big business and some unscrupulous landowners are grabbing water resources and diverting water from farmers’ land to force them to sell.

Climate change is increasingly affecting productivity – farmers face drought or water shortages and contend with adverse weather conditions, particularly strong winds and heavy rains and floods which damage crops. They are also affected by the economic situation of the country and constant revaluation of the Colombian peso. The long-term armed conflict in the region continues to generate a climate of fear and the real threat of extortion by armed criminal gangs.

Fairtrade Partnership

n recent years banana producers in the region suffered an economic crisis, mainly related to market demands for producers to meet sustainable certification and quality requirements. ASOBANARCOOP has put in place a strategy for the economic and social development of members and their communities which included becoming Fairtrade certified in 2006 and the following year being certified by GlobalGap, the food safety and hygiene standard required by European retailers including UK supermarkets. With the support of the Fairtrade Premium, the co-operative has been able to strengthen and support its members in improving farm infrastructure, retaining certifications and marketing their bananas on better terms.

Total annual production varies between 210,000 and 315,000 boxes, depending on growing conditions. The standard box is 18.14kg so this equates to 3,800 to 5,700 tonnes. Fairtrade sales now account for around 90% of the total, with ASOBANARCOOP Fairtrade bananas available in The Co-operative, Sainsbury’s and Spar. Fairtrade sales include payment based on the Fairtrade Minimum Price that covers costs of production and an additional Fairtrade Premium of $1.00 per box for ASOBANARCOOP to invest in business and community development.

In a recent survey members were asked about the impact of Fairtrade on their lives. It found that family incomes have increased by an average of 30% as a result of Fairtrade sales, with farmers being paid at least $1.00 more per box for Fairtrade bananas that year (2012). Almost 50% of members are aged over 60 and more than 90% agree that the extra income and other benefits of Fairtrade contribute greatly to making family agriculture more attractive to younger people.

More than 90% of members also said their quality of life has improved and they have greater control over their futures and those of their children.

Meeting Fairtrade Standards was reported to have a positive impact on the environment, leading to improvements in farm infrastructure, productivity and banana quality. The decision to end the use of agro-chemicals to protect the environment has increased local employment as more workers are hired to help with manual weeding. Hired workers also benefit from higher wages, provision of personal protective equipment and access to good quality health services.

Members meet regularly to decide how to use the Fairtrade Premium, with selected projects being managed by an elected committee. The various business and social projects include:

Business

• Financial contribution to Fairtrade and GlobalGap certification and audit costs.
• Construction of a central warehouse to store fertilisers, inputs and tools.
• Programme to distribute subsidised fertiliser, other inputs and equipment to improve productivity.
• Technical training in sustainable practices and modern technologies has increased yields by 9% a year.
• Modern irrigation systems installed on 31 farms.
• Digging and clearing of drainage canals on members’ farms.
• Soil analysis on members’ farms to improve soil fertility.
• Electricity supply extended to more farms.
• Improvements to local roads. 

Social

• Health brigades – medical teams organised to carry out health checks and eye tests in the community.
• Loans for education costs and housing improvements e.g. roofs, kitchens, bathroom facilities.
• Training programmes for members and the community on environmental protection, minimising use of agro-chemicals, improving access to safe drinking water.
• Emergency fund and practical assistance for victims of floods and other natural disasters.
• Home garden scheme to improve nutrition of senior citizens.
• Supporting cultural activities e.g. folk music performances.

PLANTACION MARTHA MARIA, Colombia

Aimeth Fernández Angulo is a banana farmer and manager of ASOBANARCOOP, a growers’ co-operative in Magdalena, Colombia.

About Aimeth

Aimeth grows bananas on her small farm of 1.3 hectares which produces around 67 boxes (1.2 tonnes) of bananas a week. She has also been employed by ASOBANARCOOP for 26 years, using her skills as a trained economist with extensive knowledge of Quality Management Systems (QMS) and extensive experience in business management. Aimeth has risen from head of administration to manager of the co-operative where her role includes ensuring the organisation continues to meet Fairtrade and GlobalGap certification standards. Aimeth is a member of the Education Committee which organises various training programmes funded by the Fairtrade Premium. As a member of her co-operative’s education committee, Aimeth works directly with Fairtrade on health issues, environmental workshops and programmes aimed specifically at the elderly and children

Background to ASOBANARCOOP

ASOBANARCOOP was set up in 1987 by 17 small-scale farmers who formed an association to collectively export their bananas and improve their livelihoods. The association was formally registered as a co-operative in 2002 and now has 44 members, including 11 women, who farm a total of 135 hectares. The average farm size is three hectares with an average annual yield of 30 tonnes of bananas per hectare, providing 80% of farmers’ incomes. The co-operative now has five full-time employees while farmers employ 58 permanent and 673 seasonal and temporary workers for the weekly harvest and associated packing activities.

The banana industry traditionally provides around 80% of employment in Magdalena but large-scale palm oil plantations are now displacing bananas with the loss of many jobs. Farmers are under constant pressure to sell their land to big business and some unscrupulous landowners are grabbing water resources and diverting water from farmers’ land to force them to sell.

Climate change is increasingly affecting productivity – farmers face drought or water shortages and contend with adverse weather conditions, particularly strong winds and heavy rains and floods which damage crops. They are also affected by the economic situation of the country and constant revaluation of the Colombian peso. The long-term armed conflict in the region continues to generate a climate of fear and the real threat of extortion by armed criminal gangs.

Fairtrade Partnership

n recent years banana producers in the region suffered an economic crisis, mainly related to market demands for producers to meet sustainable certification and quality requirements. ASOBANARCOOP has put in place a strategy for the economic and social development of members and their communities which included becoming Fairtrade certified in 2006 and the following year being certified by GlobalGap, the food safety and hygiene standard required by European retailers including UK supermarkets. With the support of the Fairtrade Premium, the co-operative has been able to strengthen and support its members in improving farm infrastructure, retaining certifications and marketing their bananas on better terms.

Total annual production varies between 210,000 and 315,000 boxes, depending on growing conditions. The standard box is 18.14kg so this equates to 3,800 to 5,700 tonnes. Fairtrade sales now account for around 90% of the total, with ASOBANARCOOP Fairtrade bananas available in The Co-operative, Sainsbury’s and Spar. Fairtrade sales include payment based on the Fairtrade Minimum Price that covers costs of production and an additional Fairtrade Premium of $1.00 per box for ASOBANARCOOP to invest in business and community development.

In a recent survey members were asked about the impact of Fairtrade on their lives. It found that family incomes have increased by an average of 30% as a result of Fairtrade sales, with farmers being paid at least $1.00 more per box for Fairtrade bananas that year (2012). Almost 50% of members are aged over 60 and more than 90% agree that the extra income and other benefits of Fairtrade contribute greatly to making family agriculture more attractive to younger people.

More than 90% of members also said their quality of life has improved and they have greater control over their futures and those of their children.

Meeting Fairtrade Standards was reported to have a positive impact on the environment, leading to improvements in farm infrastructure, productivity and banana quality. The decision to end the use of agro-chemicals to protect the environment has increased local employment as more workers are hired to help with manual weeding. Hired workers also benefit from higher wages, provision of personal protective equipment and access to good quality health services.

Members meet regularly to decide how to use the Fairtrade Premium, with selected projects being managed by an elected committee. The various business and social projects include:

Business

• Financial contribution to Fairtrade and GlobalGap certification and audit costs.
• Construction of a central warehouse to store fertilisers, inputs and tools.
• Programme to distribute subsidised fertiliser, other inputs and equipment to improve productivity.
• Technical training in sustainable practices and modern technologies has increased yields by 9% a year.
• Modern irrigation systems installed on 31 farms.
• Digging and clearing of drainage canals on members’ farms.
• Soil analysis on members’ farms to improve soil fertility.
• Electricity supply extended to more farms.
• Improvements to local roads. 

Social

• Health brigades – medical teams organised to carry out health checks and eye tests in the community.
• Loans for education costs and housing improvements e.g. roofs, kitchens, bathroom facilities.
• Training programmes for members and the community on environmental protection, minimising use of agro-chemicals, improving access to safe drinking water.
• Emergency fund and practical assistance for victims of floods and other natural disasters.
• Home garden scheme to improve nutrition of senior citizens.
• Supporting cultural activities e.g. folk music performances.

Sandra Joseph - WINFA, St Lucia

Aimeth Fernández Angulo is a banana farmer and manager of ASOBANARCOOP, a growers’ co-operative in Magdalena, Colombia.

About Aimeth

Aimeth grows bananas on her small farm of 1.3 hectares which produces around 67 boxes (1.2 tonnes) of bananas a week. She has also been employed by ASOBANARCOOP for 26 years, using her skills as a trained economist with extensive knowledge of Quality Management Systems (QMS) and extensive experience in business management. Aimeth has risen from head of administration to manager of the co-operative where her role includes ensuring the organisation continues to meet Fairtrade and GlobalGap certification standards. Aimeth is a member of the Education Committee which organises various training programmes funded by the Fairtrade Premium. As a member of her co-operative’s education committee, Aimeth works directly with Fairtrade on health issues, environmental workshops and programmes aimed specifically at the elderly and children

Background to ASOBANARCOOP

ASOBANARCOOP was set up in 1987 by 17 small-scale farmers who formed an association to collectively export their bananas and improve their livelihoods. The association was formally registered as a co-operative in 2002 and now has 44 members, including 11 women, who farm a total of 135 hectares. The average farm size is three hectares with an average annual yield of 30 tonnes of bananas per hectare, providing 80% of farmers’ incomes. The co-operative now has five full-time employees while farmers employ 58 permanent and 673 seasonal and temporary workers for the weekly harvest and associated packing activities.

The banana industry traditionally provides around 80% of employment in Magdalena but large-scale palm oil plantations are now displacing bananas with the loss of many jobs. Farmers are under constant pressure to sell their land to big business and some unscrupulous landowners are grabbing water resources and diverting water from farmers’ land to force them to sell.

Climate change is increasingly affecting productivity – farmers face drought or water shortages and contend with adverse weather conditions, particularly strong winds and heavy rains and floods which damage crops. They are also affected by the economic situation of the country and constant revaluation of the Colombian peso. The long-term armed conflict in the region continues to generate a climate of fear and the real threat of extortion by armed criminal gangs.

Fairtrade Partnership

n recent years banana producers in the region suffered an economic crisis, mainly related to market demands for producers to meet sustainable certification and quality requirements. ASOBANARCOOP has put in place a strategy for the economic and social development of members and their communities which included becoming Fairtrade certified in 2006 and the following year being certified by GlobalGap, the food safety and hygiene standard required by European retailers including UK supermarkets. With the support of the Fairtrade Premium, the co-operative has been able to strengthen and support its members in improving farm infrastructure, retaining certifications and marketing their bananas on better terms.

Total annual production varies between 210,000 and 315,000 boxes, depending on growing conditions. The standard box is 18.14kg so this equates to 3,800 to 5,700 tonnes. Fairtrade sales now account for around 90% of the total, with ASOBANARCOOP Fairtrade bananas available in The Co-operative, Sainsbury’s and Spar. Fairtrade sales include payment based on the Fairtrade Minimum Price that covers costs of production and an additional Fairtrade Premium of $1.00 per box for ASOBANARCOOP to invest in business and community development.

In a recent survey members were asked about the impact of Fairtrade on their lives. It found that family incomes have increased by an average of 30% as a result of Fairtrade sales, with farmers being paid at least $1.00 more per box for Fairtrade bananas that year (2012). Almost 50% of members are aged over 60 and more than 90% agree that the extra income and other benefits of Fairtrade contribute greatly to making family agriculture more attractive to younger people.

More than 90% of members also said their quality of life has improved and they have greater control over their futures and those of their children.

Meeting Fairtrade Standards was reported to have a positive impact on the environment, leading to improvements in farm infrastructure, productivity and banana quality. The decision to end the use of agro-chemicals to protect the environment has increased local employment as more workers are hired to help with manual weeding. Hired workers also benefit from higher wages, provision of personal protective equipment and access to good quality health services.

Members meet regularly to decide how to use the Fairtrade Premium, with selected projects being managed by an elected committee. The various business and social projects include:

Business

• Financial contribution to Fairtrade and GlobalGap certification and audit costs.
• Construction of a central warehouse to store fertilisers, inputs and tools.
• Programme to distribute subsidised fertiliser, other inputs and equipment to improve productivity.
• Technical training in sustainable practices and modern technologies has increased yields by 9% a year.
• Modern irrigation systems installed on 31 farms.
• Digging and clearing of drainage canals on members’ farms.
• Soil analysis on members’ farms to improve soil fertility.
• Electricity supply extended to more farms.
• Improvements to local roads. 

Social

• Health brigades – medical teams organised to carry out health checks and eye tests in the community.
• Loans for education costs and housing improvements e.g. roofs, kitchens, bathroom facilities.
• Training programmes for members and the community on environmental protection, minimising use of agro-chemicals, improving access to safe drinking water.
• Emergency fund and practical assistance for victims of floods and other natural disasters.
• Home garden scheme to improve nutrition of senior citizens.
• Supporting cultural activities e.g. folk music performances.