Producer Customers

Cepibo is a non-for-profit 'second-level' association of banana producers based in Piura Region on the northern coast of Peru. It was created in 2003 by a group of farmers' associations to organise their production and commercial activities. They have been FLO-certified since 2007.

Cepibo runs a variety of initiatives, including training programmes, staff and members' healthcare schemes, technical assistance to support farmers' productivity and improve quality standards and the construction of infrastructure. In addition, the individual associations manage social and economic projects directly for the benefit of their farmers.

Cepibo has been a Shared Interest customer since March 2011. They have a Term Loan facility which was used to fund a fertilisation project, as well as the construction of cableway across the different production areas to assist with the transportation of bananas.

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COCAGI (Coopérative des Caféculteurs de Gishoma) is a coffee cooperative located in the Gishoma district of western Rwanda. It started in 2003 with 22 members, but now has over 650, with each small-holder coffee grower having a share worth the equivalent of five US dollars. COCAGI has been FLO-certified since 2005.

Through COCAGI, small-holder farmers have been able to earn an income from their crops and create employment opportunities. Coffee is the sole revenue generating commodity for families in the area and has played a considerable role in the socio-economic development of the community. Members are paid dividends which they use to pay school fees and meet household needs.

COCAGI became a Shared Interest customer in 2009. Prior to this, they were required to process a new loan with their local bank every year in order to pay the farmers. This often led to delays and a reduction in yield while they waited for funds to be released. They now have a Shared Interest Export Credit facility which enables them to make pre-payments to the farmers.

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Mace Foods started in 2002 and is involved with the marketing and production of dehydrated spices, such as chillies, vegetables and herbs. It is based in Eldoret, Kenya and contracts 1,600 small farmers in the Rift Valley and western part of Kenya at a fixed price independent of market changes. Mace Foods is a member of WFTO, as there were not any FLO standards for chillies at the time of their application to obtain Fairtrade certification.

Mace Foods has an impact on the lives of 25,000 people through the 1,600 farmers it works with. In April 2008, USAID estimated that the Mace farmers had an additional annual income of approximately 360 US Dollars on average, enabling them to hire poor landless workers during peak harvest seasons. Mace's factory workers also earn 30% more than the minimum wage in Kenya and it aims to provide opportunities to single women with families and people who are HIV positive.

Mace Foods became a Shared Interest customer in January 2009. They have an Export Credit facility to enable them to pre-finance confirmed orders with their export buyers.

To learn more about Mace Foods, visit their website at www.macefoods.com.

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