ITC publications bring the business voice to sustainable trade, with a focus on developing countries. We offer guidance for trade policymakers, business support organizations and small firms. Our reports offer insights to make trade more inclusive, green, digital and competitive.
Thailand, one of the world’s most export-driven economies, is a leading exporter of rice, various food products and electronic components.ITC surveyed over 1,000 Thai companies to understand their perceptions of non-tariff measures (NTMs). Overall, 38% of Thai exporters are affected by burdensome...
As a major palm oil, cocoa, rubber and coffee exporter, Indonesia plays a key role in global and regional commodity markets. An ITC survey among 950 Indonesian companies finds that 51% of fresh and processed food exporters face burdensome regulations. Delays and high costs for technical and...
Climate change is reducing the competitiveness of agricultural exports from developing countries as far apart as Peru and Uganda, according to an ITC survey of agri-food exporters in these countries. The exporters call on their governments to integrate climate change into long-term,...
Small firms in the world’s poorest countries are hit hardest by non-tariff measures, according to an ITC study on how businesses experience non-tariff measures in 23 developing countries.The impact of NTMs on companies and countries is highly uneven. Small firms are most affected (over 50%). NTMs...
Sustainability initiatives are more effective and efficient when they fully engage the middle tiers of supply chains.Those creating sustainability initiatives (a standards-setting organization, government or company) will find useful guidance, including corporate approaches to sustainable sourcing,...
Buying quinoa contributes to better livelihoods for rural Peruvian communities, according to a new ITC study. The study provides much-needed data on the impact of changing market prices on the welfare of rural households in the altiplano of Peru. The findings inform policymakers about the benefits...
This study reviews the global market for sustainably wild-collected botanical ingredients from China. China produces many plant-based herbal medicines and ingredients, consumed within China and worldwide. The study promotes recognition and implementation of sustainable wild-collection standards and...
Egypt has much to gain from increased transparency of regulations, procedures, and better-defined rules of origin, according to the ITC survey on non-tariff measures in 2011. Nearly 40% of surveyed companies in Egypt are affected by regulatory and procedural trade obstacles. Agri-food exporters...
Greater access to information about export opportunities is essential for determining SME export success.SMEs which participate in international trade are more productive than those which do not. Integration into global and regional markets is thus likely to help close the productivity gap between...
European exporters have similar experiences with non-tariff measures (NTMs) as developing countries, especially for procedures related to technical regulations, conformity assessment and rules of origin. An ITC-European Commission survey, based on 8100 company interviews in all 28 European Union...
The first global data report on fast-growing voluntary sustainability standards outlines the share of bananas, cocoa, coffee, cotton, forestry, palm oil, soybeans, cane sugar and tea in 14 major standards. The report is based on a partnership between the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture...
The State of Palestine has scope to facilitate trade by streamlining procedures and enhancing transparency of rules and procedures, according to an ITC survey on non-tariff measures among 239 Palestinian exporters. Inspections, quality control measures and rules of origin are considered the most...
