Commodity associations: a tool for supply chain development?

Commodity associations: a tool for supply chain development?
Les associations interprofessionnelles sont-elles un outil de développement des filières?
by
Andrew W. Shepherd
Rural Infrastructure and Agro-Industries Division (now value chain expert at CTA Wageningen)
Jean-Joseph Cadilhon
Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific
and
Eva Gálvez
Rural Infrastructure and Agro-Industries Division
FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS Rome, 2009, 53 pages

Commodity associations are organizations that bring together a wide spectrum of interest groups related to a particular commodity or sector (such as horticulture) in a particular country, whether the commodity is for export, for the domestic market or for both. Such associations can draw membership from individual farmers or their associations, from crop buyers, processors, distributors and exporters, as well as from suppliers of support services. Sometimes government agencies are also members.

Drawing on a literature review and case studies of relevant associations in Africa, Asia and Latin America, the paper explores the role of commodity associations in improving supply chain performance. There have been significant donor efforts to promote commodity associations recently, although some have encountered problems. Thus donor organizations may find the paper to be of use.