Abstract
This 33 month Leverhulme Trust funded project, based jointly within the Geography Departments of Durham
and Newcastle Universities, evaluates the dynamics of ethical trade within international agri-supply chains
emanating from South Africa. Two case studies of ethical production have been the focus of the research; (i)
'Sustainable wild flower harvesting' on the Agulhas Plain is an initiative driven by a local NGO seeking
to promote biodiversity conservation through engagement with the market. Wild fynbos flowers are
harvested according to innovative ecologically guided protocols. The initiative seeks to reduce pressure to
convert the land into other economically productive uses by assuring the market value of the flowers; (ii) the
Eksteenskuil Agricultural Co-operative (EAC), which was the world's first Fairtrade raisin producer and
has supplied raisins to the UK’s Traidcraft plc since the late 1990s. Beyond these two case studies the
research has examined the rollout of ethical trade in South Africa, where a number of innovative ethical
programmes and initiatives have emerged within agri-supply chains. Conceptually the research has
evaluated the role of geographic context in shaping these ethical production initiatives and the values
enshrined within them. Our analysis demonstrates that such supply chains are firmly embedded within local
cultures and politics that influence the ways in which the projects play out on the ground.
and Newcastle Universities, evaluates the dynamics of ethical trade within international agri-supply chains
emanating from South Africa. Two case studies of ethical production have been the focus of the research; (i)
'Sustainable wild flower harvesting' on the Agulhas Plain is an initiative driven by a local NGO seeking
to promote biodiversity conservation through engagement with the market. Wild fynbos flowers are
harvested according to innovative ecologically guided protocols. The initiative seeks to reduce pressure to
convert the land into other economically productive uses by assuring the market value of the flowers; (ii) the
Eksteenskuil Agricultural Co-operative (EAC), which was the world's first Fairtrade raisin producer and
has supplied raisins to the UK’s Traidcraft plc since the late 1990s. Beyond these two case studies the
research has examined the rollout of ethical trade in South Africa, where a number of innovative ethical
programmes and initiatives have emerged within agri-supply chains. Conceptually the research has
evaluated the role of geographic context in shaping these ethical production initiatives and the values
enshrined within them. Our analysis demonstrates that such supply chains are firmly embedded within local
cultures and politics that influence the ways in which the projects play out on the ground.
Original language | English |
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Pages | 1-46 |
Number of pages | 47 |
Publication status | Published - 2012 |