Sustainable Markets

Agriculture is our starting point
In many countries, the agricultural sector accounts for up to 80% of employment, and up to 90% of the rural population is entirely dependent on the sector for their livelihoods. Agriculture contributes substantially to GDP and, as a supplier of raw materials, to manufacturing value added.

We help strengthen food commodity markets
The market for locally consumed food commodities represents the largest growth opportunity for rural farmers. And in most developing countries it represents the bulk of total agricultural market value. Yet during the past ten years we have witnessed a growing emphasis on northern-focused value chain development and sustainable sourcing initiatives by international food companies.

We focus on innovative solutions
Facilitating the rapid expansion of food staple markets is therefore critical, as is our focus on linking the livelihoods and rural economic development perspective with that of international market access. After a critical and context-specific analysis of a planned intervention strategy, we deploy our economic knowledge and expertise, and work from there towards innovative solutions.