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...
The global pandemic has hit small farmers with disruptions in health, food security, transport, finance and demand. It has also increased the cost of doing business. Smallholder farmers, already dealing with the effects of a climate and price crisis, are taking emergency measures for resilience. At...
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...
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,...
Upgrading quality infrastructure and enforcing quality compliance are key to Pakistan’s export development. A survey of almost 1,200 companies on non-tariff measures found that more than half of Pakistani exporters face regulatory or procedural trade-related obstacles. The report recommends...
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...
With the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the United Nations has called on the private sector to contribute more to achieving the sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This report helps decision makers in the public and private sectors to understand where voluntary sustainability...
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...
Trade in biodiversity generates income for some of the world’s poorest people, while also contributing to wildlife conservation. Two reports on python skin exports in Peninsular Malaysia and Viet Nam outline how this trade from wild-harvested and captive-bred sources creates employment and reduces...
