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	<title>Shared Interest&#039;s Fairtrade Discussions &#187; Business Development</title>
	<atom:link href="http://blog.shared-interest.com/category/business-development/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
	<link>http://blog.shared-interest.com</link>
	<description>Investing in a Fairer World</description>
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		<title>Coffee, Cocoa and Social Impact</title>
		<link>http://blog.shared-interest.com/2012/01/20/coffee-cocoa-and-social-impact/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.shared-interest.com/2012/01/20/coffee-cocoa-and-social-impact/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 20 Jan 2012 09:41:51 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Kerrey Baker</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Business Development]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Travel Diary]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Cepicafe]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cocoa]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[coffee]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fairtrade]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Peru]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sugar]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.shared-interest.com/?p=3906</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[On Wednesday we left the banana plantations behind to visit Cepicafe to learn more about their Fairtrade coffee, sugar and cocoa exports.  When we arrived they were hosting an international conference but Finance Manager, Jose Fernando Reyes Cordova still found &#8230; <a href="http://blog.shared-interest.com/2012/01/20/coffee-cocoa-and-social-impact/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>On Wednesday we left the banana plantations behind to visit Cepicafe to learn more about their Fairtrade coffee, sugar and cocoa exports.  When we arrived they were hosting an international conference but Finance Manager, Jose Fernando Reyes Cordova still found the time to show us around their facilities. Cepicafe is a fascinating model that really helps grass roots communities. Farmers are encouraged to work together in associations in order to increase the scale of production and reduce costs.  Once the association is large enough they are given assistance and staff to become independent. </p>
<p>Cepicafe exports sugar, coffee, cocoa, marmalade and juice.  Shared Interest funds have been particularly helpful in this time of high coffee prices. During our visit we looked at the sugar and coffee processing, before heading out to see the cocoa farms.</p>
<p><a href="http://blog.shared-interest.com/wp-content/uploads/Sorting-coffee-at-Cepicafe.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3908" title="Sorting coffee at Cepicafe" src="http://blog.shared-interest.com/wp-content/uploads/Sorting-coffee-at-Cepicafe-e1327052459949-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p>
<p>Sugar cane needs a lot of sun to grow so the region is perfect. Cepicafe works with 700 sugar producers and by exporting sugar cane they have improved their quality of life and self-esteem significantly. Particular emphasis is placed on training the farmers to reduce their costs and maximise their yields.  Working with the farmers has also resulted in big reduction in alcoholism due to the sugar being used for other products and in addition, the increase in price makes alcohol less cost effective to make.</p>
<p>Cepicafe has seen a huge growth in cocoa production and export.  There are a number of factors that have led to this increase.  Firstly buyers are looking for a high quality aromatic cocoa.  Also the quality of the bigger cocoa producers has reduced but the most important factor has been the marketing of white cocoa &#8220;Porcelana” which is considered the best in the world.
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<li class="apf_footer"><a href="http://blog.shared-interest.com/?p=3920">A Lifeline for the Community </a></li>
<li class="apf_footer"><a href="http://blog.shared-interest.com/?p=3895">Going Bananas in Peru </a></li>
<li class="apf_footer"><a href="http://blog.shared-interest.com/?p=2879">My Land is Kenya </a></li>
</ul>
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	<a href="http://www.shared-interest.com/member.php?utm_source=Shared%2BInterest%20Blog%20Footer&#038;utm_medium=blog&#038;utm_campaign=sharedinterestblogfooter"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2515/3878191042_27f57b5fbd_s.jpg" width="75" height="75" alt="Namayiana - Fair Trade Producer Visit" border="0" /></a>
</td>
<td style="vertical-align:middle;" align="center">
	<a href="http://www.shared-interest.com/member.php?utm_source=Shared%2BInterest%20Blog%20Footer&#038;utm_medium=blog&#038;utm_campaign=sharedinterestblogfooter"><strong>Click here to learn how you can invest in fair trade.</strong></a><br />
<br />
	<a href="http://bit.ly/9VATYV"><strong>Click here to donate to the Shared Interest Foundation</strong></a>
</td>
<td style="width: 75px">
	<a href="http://www.shared-interest.com/member.php?utm_source=Shared%2BInterest%20Blog%20Footer&#038;utm_medium=blog&#038;utm_campaign=sharedinterestblogfooter"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3137/2909253327_78b8f9c31e_s.jpg" width="75" height="75" alt="Mexican coffee farmer at work in the fields" border="0" /></a>
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		<item>
		<title>In Search of the Peruvian Northern Coffee</title>
		<link>http://blog.shared-interest.com/2011/12/20/in-search-of-the-peruvian-northern-coffee/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.shared-interest.com/2011/12/20/in-search-of-the-peruvian-northern-coffee/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 20 Dec 2011 09:09:40 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Paul Sablich</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Business Development]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[coffee]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Peru]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.shared-interest.com/?p=3844</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[It has been some time since my last visit to coffee producers in Peru. In November/December I travelled to Jaen and San Ignacio in the North Oriental Jungle of Peru to visit several organisations. I was joined on my travels &#8230; <a href="http://blog.shared-interest.com/2012/01/20/coffee-cocoa-and-social-impact/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>On Wednesday we left the banana plantations behind to visit Cepicafe to learn more about their Fairtrade coffee, sugar and cocoa exports.  When we arrived they were hosting an international conference but Finance Manager, Jose Fernando Reyes Cordova still found the time to show us around their facilities. Cepicafe is a fascinating model that really helps grass roots communities. Farmers are encouraged to work together in associations in order to increase the scale of production and reduce costs.  Once the association is large enough they are given assistance and staff to become independent. </p>
<p>Cepicafe exports sugar, coffee, cocoa, marmalade and juice.  Shared Interest funds have been particularly helpful in this time of high coffee prices. During our visit we looked at the sugar and coffee processing, before heading out to see the cocoa farms.</p>
<p><a href="http://blog.shared-interest.com/wp-content/uploads/Sorting-coffee-at-Cepicafe.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3908" title="Sorting coffee at Cepicafe" src="http://blog.shared-interest.com/wp-content/uploads/Sorting-coffee-at-Cepicafe-e1327052459949-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p>
<p>Sugar cane needs a lot of sun to grow so the region is perfect. Cepicafe works with 700 sugar producers and by exporting sugar cane they have improved their quality of life and self-esteem significantly. Particular emphasis is placed on training the farmers to reduce their costs and maximise their yields.  Working with the farmers has also resulted in big reduction in alcoholism due to the sugar being used for other products and in addition, the increase in price makes alcohol less cost effective to make.</p>
<p>Cepicafe has seen a huge growth in cocoa production and export.  There are a number of factors that have led to this increase.  Firstly buyers are looking for a high quality aromatic cocoa.  Also the quality of the bigger cocoa producers has reduced but the most important factor has been the marketing of white cocoa &#8220;Porcelana” which is considered the best in the world.
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<li class="apf_footer"><a href="http://blog.shared-interest.com/?p=3929">The Brazil Nut Effect </a></li>
<li class="apf_footer"><a href="http://blog.shared-interest.com/?p=3920">A Lifeline for the Community </a></li>
<li class="apf_footer"><a href="http://blog.shared-interest.com/?p=3895">Going Bananas in Peru </a></li>
<li class="apf_footer"><a href="http://blog.shared-interest.com/?p=2879">My Land is Kenya </a></li>
</ul>
</div>
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<tr>
<td style="width: 75px">
	<a href="http://www.shared-interest.com/member.php?utm_source=Shared%2BInterest%20Blog%20Footer&#038;utm_medium=blog&#038;utm_campaign=sharedinterestblogfooter"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2515/3878191042_27f57b5fbd_s.jpg" width="75" height="75" alt="Namayiana - Fair Trade Producer Visit" border="0" /></a>
</td>
<td style="vertical-align:middle;" align="center">
	<a href="http://www.shared-interest.com/member.php?utm_source=Shared%2BInterest%20Blog%20Footer&#038;utm_medium=blog&#038;utm_campaign=sharedinterestblogfooter"><strong>Click here to learn how you can invest in fair trade.</strong></a><br />
<br />
	<a href="http://bit.ly/9VATYV"><strong>Click here to donate to the Shared Interest Foundation</strong></a>
</td>
<td style="width: 75px">
	<a href="http://www.shared-interest.com/member.php?utm_source=Shared%2BInterest%20Blog%20Footer&#038;utm_medium=blog&#038;utm_campaign=sharedinterestblogfooter"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3137/2909253327_78b8f9c31e_s.jpg" width="75" height="75" alt="Mexican coffee farmer at work in the fields" border="0" /></a>
</td>
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</table>
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		<item>
		<title>Recent Lending FECAFEM</title>
		<link>http://blog.shared-interest.com/2011/12/05/recent-lending-fecafem/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.shared-interest.com/2011/12/05/recent-lending-fecafem/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 05 Dec 2011 17:15:59 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Stacey</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Business Development]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ecuador]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FECAFEM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[lending]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[loan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Recent]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Recent Lending]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.shared-interest.com/?p=3773</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Fecafem, in Ecuador, is a second level cooperative of three associations with a total of 250 coffee farmers. It is experiencing a significant increase in export sales following its achievement of Fairtrade certification this year. Shared Interest is providing the &#8230; <a href="http://blog.shared-interest.com/2012/01/20/coffee-cocoa-and-social-impact/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>On Wednesday we left the banana plantations behind to visit Cepicafe to learn more about their Fairtrade coffee, sugar and cocoa exports.  When we arrived they were hosting an international conference but Finance Manager, Jose Fernando Reyes Cordova still found the time to show us around their facilities. Cepicafe is a fascinating model that really helps grass roots communities. Farmers are encouraged to work together in associations in order to increase the scale of production and reduce costs.  Once the association is large enough they are given assistance and staff to become independent. </p>
<p>Cepicafe exports sugar, coffee, cocoa, marmalade and juice.  Shared Interest funds have been particularly helpful in this time of high coffee prices. During our visit we looked at the sugar and coffee processing, before heading out to see the cocoa farms.</p>
<p><a href="http://blog.shared-interest.com/wp-content/uploads/Sorting-coffee-at-Cepicafe.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3908" title="Sorting coffee at Cepicafe" src="http://blog.shared-interest.com/wp-content/uploads/Sorting-coffee-at-Cepicafe-e1327052459949-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p>
<p>Sugar cane needs a lot of sun to grow so the region is perfect. Cepicafe works with 700 sugar producers and by exporting sugar cane they have improved their quality of life and self-esteem significantly. Particular emphasis is placed on training the farmers to reduce their costs and maximise their yields.  Working with the farmers has also resulted in big reduction in alcoholism due to the sugar being used for other products and in addition, the increase in price makes alcohol less cost effective to make.</p>
<p>Cepicafe has seen a huge growth in cocoa production and export.  There are a number of factors that have led to this increase.  Firstly buyers are looking for a high quality aromatic cocoa.  Also the quality of the bigger cocoa producers has reduced but the most important factor has been the marketing of white cocoa &#8220;Porcelana” which is considered the best in the world.
<div id="apf_post_footer">
<h4>Related Articles</h4>
<ul>
<li class="apf_footer"><a href="http://blog.shared-interest.com/?p=3929">The Brazil Nut Effect </a></li>
<li class="apf_footer"><a href="http://blog.shared-interest.com/?p=3920">A Lifeline for the Community </a></li>
<li class="apf_footer"><a href="http://blog.shared-interest.com/?p=3895">Going Bananas in Peru </a></li>
<li class="apf_footer"><a href="http://blog.shared-interest.com/?p=2879">My Land is Kenya </a></li>
</ul>
</div>
<table width="100%" border="0">
<tr>
<td style="width: 75px">
	<a href="http://www.shared-interest.com/member.php?utm_source=Shared%2BInterest%20Blog%20Footer&#038;utm_medium=blog&#038;utm_campaign=sharedinterestblogfooter"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2515/3878191042_27f57b5fbd_s.jpg" width="75" height="75" alt="Namayiana - Fair Trade Producer Visit" border="0" /></a>
</td>
<td style="vertical-align:middle;" align="center">
	<a href="http://www.shared-interest.com/member.php?utm_source=Shared%2BInterest%20Blog%20Footer&#038;utm_medium=blog&#038;utm_campaign=sharedinterestblogfooter"><strong>Click here to learn how you can invest in fair trade.</strong></a><br />
<br />
	<a href="http://bit.ly/9VATYV"><strong>Click here to donate to the Shared Interest Foundation</strong></a>
</td>
<td style="width: 75px">
	<a href="http://www.shared-interest.com/member.php?utm_source=Shared%2BInterest%20Blog%20Footer&#038;utm_medium=blog&#038;utm_campaign=sharedinterestblogfooter"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3137/2909253327_78b8f9c31e_s.jpg" width="75" height="75" alt="Mexican coffee farmer at work in the fields" border="0" /></a>
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		<item>
		<title>Recent Lending APOQ</title>
		<link>http://blog.shared-interest.com/2011/11/29/recent-lending-apoq/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.shared-interest.com/2011/11/29/recent-lending-apoq/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 29 Nov 2011 17:30:21 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Stacey</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Business Development]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[case study]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[lending]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[new loan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Recent Lending APOQ]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[shared interest]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.shared-interest.com/?p=3747</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Apoq is a co-operative of over 250 banana farmers located in the northern coastal region of Peru. It is the latest of several banana co-operatives in the region to take out a Shared Interest loan to improve its production infrastructure. &#8230; <a href="http://blog.shared-interest.com/2012/01/20/coffee-cocoa-and-social-impact/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>On Wednesday we left the banana plantations behind to visit Cepicafe to learn more about their Fairtrade coffee, sugar and cocoa exports.  When we arrived they were hosting an international conference but Finance Manager, Jose Fernando Reyes Cordova still found the time to show us around their facilities. Cepicafe is a fascinating model that really helps grass roots communities. Farmers are encouraged to work together in associations in order to increase the scale of production and reduce costs.  Once the association is large enough they are given assistance and staff to become independent. </p>
<p>Cepicafe exports sugar, coffee, cocoa, marmalade and juice.  Shared Interest funds have been particularly helpful in this time of high coffee prices. During our visit we looked at the sugar and coffee processing, before heading out to see the cocoa farms.</p>
<p><a href="http://blog.shared-interest.com/wp-content/uploads/Sorting-coffee-at-Cepicafe.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3908" title="Sorting coffee at Cepicafe" src="http://blog.shared-interest.com/wp-content/uploads/Sorting-coffee-at-Cepicafe-e1327052459949-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p>
<p>Sugar cane needs a lot of sun to grow so the region is perfect. Cepicafe works with 700 sugar producers and by exporting sugar cane they have improved their quality of life and self-esteem significantly. Particular emphasis is placed on training the farmers to reduce their costs and maximise their yields.  Working with the farmers has also resulted in big reduction in alcoholism due to the sugar being used for other products and in addition, the increase in price makes alcohol less cost effective to make.</p>
<p>Cepicafe has seen a huge growth in cocoa production and export.  There are a number of factors that have led to this increase.  Firstly buyers are looking for a high quality aromatic cocoa.  Also the quality of the bigger cocoa producers has reduced but the most important factor has been the marketing of white cocoa &#8220;Porcelana” which is considered the best in the world.
<div id="apf_post_footer">
<h4>Related Articles</h4>
<ul>
<li class="apf_footer"><a href="http://blog.shared-interest.com/?p=3929">The Brazil Nut Effect </a></li>
<li class="apf_footer"><a href="http://blog.shared-interest.com/?p=3920">A Lifeline for the Community </a></li>
<li class="apf_footer"><a href="http://blog.shared-interest.com/?p=3895">Going Bananas in Peru </a></li>
<li class="apf_footer"><a href="http://blog.shared-interest.com/?p=2879">My Land is Kenya </a></li>
</ul>
</div>
<table width="100%" border="0">
<tr>
<td style="width: 75px">
	<a href="http://www.shared-interest.com/member.php?utm_source=Shared%2BInterest%20Blog%20Footer&#038;utm_medium=blog&#038;utm_campaign=sharedinterestblogfooter"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2515/3878191042_27f57b5fbd_s.jpg" width="75" height="75" alt="Namayiana - Fair Trade Producer Visit" border="0" /></a>
</td>
<td style="vertical-align:middle;" align="center">
	<a href="http://www.shared-interest.com/member.php?utm_source=Shared%2BInterest%20Blog%20Footer&#038;utm_medium=blog&#038;utm_campaign=sharedinterestblogfooter"><strong>Click here to learn how you can invest in fair trade.</strong></a><br />
<br />
	<a href="http://bit.ly/9VATYV"><strong>Click here to donate to the Shared Interest Foundation</strong></a>
</td>
<td style="width: 75px">
	<a href="http://www.shared-interest.com/member.php?utm_source=Shared%2BInterest%20Blog%20Footer&#038;utm_medium=blog&#038;utm_campaign=sharedinterestblogfooter"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3137/2909253327_78b8f9c31e_s.jpg" width="75" height="75" alt="Mexican coffee farmer at work in the fields" border="0" /></a>
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		<item>
		<title>Supporting fair trade buyers in the uk</title>
		<link>http://blog.shared-interest.com/2011/08/09/supporting-fair-trade-buyers-in-the-uk/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.shared-interest.com/2011/08/09/supporting-fair-trade-buyers-in-the-uk/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 09 Aug 2011 13:21:35 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Stacey</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Business Development]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[buyers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fair trade]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Supporting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UK]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.shared-interest.com/?p=3299</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[WE’VE RECENTLY PROVIDED CREDIT TO TWO VERY DIFFERENT UK BUSINESSES TWIN, UK Twin is one of the UK’s leading fair trade organisations. Twin, together with Oxfam, Traidcraft and Equal Exchange, set up Cafédirect in 1991. Since then it has helped &#8230; <a href="http://blog.shared-interest.com/2012/01/20/coffee-cocoa-and-social-impact/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>On Wednesday we left the banana plantations behind to visit Cepicafe to learn more about their Fairtrade coffee, sugar and cocoa exports.  When we arrived they were hosting an international conference but Finance Manager, Jose Fernando Reyes Cordova still found the time to show us around their facilities. Cepicafe is a fascinating model that really helps grass roots communities. Farmers are encouraged to work together in associations in order to increase the scale of production and reduce costs.  Once the association is large enough they are given assistance and staff to become independent. </p>
<p>Cepicafe exports sugar, coffee, cocoa, marmalade and juice.  Shared Interest funds have been particularly helpful in this time of high coffee prices. During our visit we looked at the sugar and coffee processing, before heading out to see the cocoa farms.</p>
<p><a href="http://blog.shared-interest.com/wp-content/uploads/Sorting-coffee-at-Cepicafe.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3908" title="Sorting coffee at Cepicafe" src="http://blog.shared-interest.com/wp-content/uploads/Sorting-coffee-at-Cepicafe-e1327052459949-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p>
<p>Sugar cane needs a lot of sun to grow so the region is perfect. Cepicafe works with 700 sugar producers and by exporting sugar cane they have improved their quality of life and self-esteem significantly. Particular emphasis is placed on training the farmers to reduce their costs and maximise their yields.  Working with the farmers has also resulted in big reduction in alcoholism due to the sugar being used for other products and in addition, the increase in price makes alcohol less cost effective to make.</p>
<p>Cepicafe has seen a huge growth in cocoa production and export.  There are a number of factors that have led to this increase.  Firstly buyers are looking for a high quality aromatic cocoa.  Also the quality of the bigger cocoa producers has reduced but the most important factor has been the marketing of white cocoa &#8220;Porcelana” which is considered the best in the world.
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<li class="apf_footer"><a href="http://blog.shared-interest.com/?p=3895">Going Bananas in Peru </a></li>
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	<a href="http://www.shared-interest.com/member.php?utm_source=Shared%2BInterest%20Blog%20Footer&#038;utm_medium=blog&#038;utm_campaign=sharedinterestblogfooter"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2515/3878191042_27f57b5fbd_s.jpg" width="75" height="75" alt="Namayiana - Fair Trade Producer Visit" border="0" /></a>
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<td style="vertical-align:middle;" align="center">
	<a href="http://www.shared-interest.com/member.php?utm_source=Shared%2BInterest%20Blog%20Footer&#038;utm_medium=blog&#038;utm_campaign=sharedinterestblogfooter"><strong>Click here to learn how you can invest in fair trade.</strong></a><br />
<br />
	<a href="http://bit.ly/9VATYV"><strong>Click here to donate to the Shared Interest Foundation</strong></a>
</td>
<td style="width: 75px">
	<a href="http://www.shared-interest.com/member.php?utm_source=Shared%2BInterest%20Blog%20Footer&#038;utm_medium=blog&#038;utm_campaign=sharedinterestblogfooter"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3137/2909253327_78b8f9c31e_s.jpg" width="75" height="75" alt="Mexican coffee farmer at work in the fields" border="0" /></a>
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		<title>Peter Rowan’s daily work experience blog</title>
		<link>http://blog.shared-interest.com/2011/07/26/peter-rowans-daily-work-experience-blog/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.shared-interest.com/2011/07/26/peter-rowans-daily-work-experience-blog/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 26 Jul 2011 08:03:45 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Adam</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Business Development]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[daily work]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[experience blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Peter Rowan]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.shared-interest.com/?p=3257</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[By Peter Rowan Day 1 (18/07/11) Fascinating. That’s how I would describe my first day of work experience at shared interest. I have been given an insight into the lives of producers across the world and the interaction between them &#8230; <a href="http://blog.shared-interest.com/2012/01/20/coffee-cocoa-and-social-impact/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>On Wednesday we left the banana plantations behind to visit Cepicafe to learn more about their Fairtrade coffee, sugar and cocoa exports.  When we arrived they were hosting an international conference but Finance Manager, Jose Fernando Reyes Cordova still found the time to show us around their facilities. Cepicafe is a fascinating model that really helps grass roots communities. Farmers are encouraged to work together in associations in order to increase the scale of production and reduce costs.  Once the association is large enough they are given assistance and staff to become independent. </p>
<p>Cepicafe exports sugar, coffee, cocoa, marmalade and juice.  Shared Interest funds have been particularly helpful in this time of high coffee prices. During our visit we looked at the sugar and coffee processing, before heading out to see the cocoa farms.</p>
<p><a href="http://blog.shared-interest.com/wp-content/uploads/Sorting-coffee-at-Cepicafe.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3908" title="Sorting coffee at Cepicafe" src="http://blog.shared-interest.com/wp-content/uploads/Sorting-coffee-at-Cepicafe-e1327052459949-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p>
<p>Sugar cane needs a lot of sun to grow so the region is perfect. Cepicafe works with 700 sugar producers and by exporting sugar cane they have improved their quality of life and self-esteem significantly. Particular emphasis is placed on training the farmers to reduce their costs and maximise their yields.  Working with the farmers has also resulted in big reduction in alcoholism due to the sugar being used for other products and in addition, the increase in price makes alcohol less cost effective to make.</p>
<p>Cepicafe has seen a huge growth in cocoa production and export.  There are a number of factors that have led to this increase.  Firstly buyers are looking for a high quality aromatic cocoa.  Also the quality of the bigger cocoa producers has reduced but the most important factor has been the marketing of white cocoa &#8220;Porcelana” which is considered the best in the world.
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<li class="apf_footer"><a href="http://blog.shared-interest.com/?p=3895">Going Bananas in Peru </a></li>
<li class="apf_footer"><a href="http://blog.shared-interest.com/?p=2879">My Land is Kenya </a></li>
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	<a href="http://www.shared-interest.com/member.php?utm_source=Shared%2BInterest%20Blog%20Footer&#038;utm_medium=blog&#038;utm_campaign=sharedinterestblogfooter"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2515/3878191042_27f57b5fbd_s.jpg" width="75" height="75" alt="Namayiana - Fair Trade Producer Visit" border="0" /></a>
</td>
<td style="vertical-align:middle;" align="center">
	<a href="http://www.shared-interest.com/member.php?utm_source=Shared%2BInterest%20Blog%20Footer&#038;utm_medium=blog&#038;utm_campaign=sharedinterestblogfooter"><strong>Click here to learn how you can invest in fair trade.</strong></a><br />
<br />
	<a href="http://bit.ly/9VATYV"><strong>Click here to donate to the Shared Interest Foundation</strong></a>
</td>
<td style="width: 75px">
	<a href="http://www.shared-interest.com/member.php?utm_source=Shared%2BInterest%20Blog%20Footer&#038;utm_medium=blog&#038;utm_campaign=sharedinterestblogfooter"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3137/2909253327_78b8f9c31e_s.jpg" width="75" height="75" alt="Mexican coffee farmer at work in the fields" border="0" /></a>
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		<title>An insight into my visit to the UK</title>
		<link>http://blog.shared-interest.com/2011/07/25/an-insight-into-my-visit-to-the-uk/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.shared-interest.com/2011/07/25/an-insight-into-my-visit-to-the-uk/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 25 Jul 2011 11:04:47 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Paul Sablich</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Business Development]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Executive]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Regional Development]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[South America]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UK]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[visit]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.shared-interest.com/?p=3251</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[By South America Regional Development Executive Paul Sablich A very cold, extremely rainy, almost snowy Newcastle was not waiting for me upon my arrival to the UK this year. On the contrary, it was a particularly sunny and warm Sunday. &#8230; <a href="http://blog.shared-interest.com/2012/01/20/coffee-cocoa-and-social-impact/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>On Wednesday we left the banana plantations behind to visit Cepicafe to learn more about their Fairtrade coffee, sugar and cocoa exports.  When we arrived they were hosting an international conference but Finance Manager, Jose Fernando Reyes Cordova still found the time to show us around their facilities. Cepicafe is a fascinating model that really helps grass roots communities. Farmers are encouraged to work together in associations in order to increase the scale of production and reduce costs.  Once the association is large enough they are given assistance and staff to become independent. </p>
<p>Cepicafe exports sugar, coffee, cocoa, marmalade and juice.  Shared Interest funds have been particularly helpful in this time of high coffee prices. During our visit we looked at the sugar and coffee processing, before heading out to see the cocoa farms.</p>
<p><a href="http://blog.shared-interest.com/wp-content/uploads/Sorting-coffee-at-Cepicafe.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3908" title="Sorting coffee at Cepicafe" src="http://blog.shared-interest.com/wp-content/uploads/Sorting-coffee-at-Cepicafe-e1327052459949-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p>
<p>Sugar cane needs a lot of sun to grow so the region is perfect. Cepicafe works with 700 sugar producers and by exporting sugar cane they have improved their quality of life and self-esteem significantly. Particular emphasis is placed on training the farmers to reduce their costs and maximise their yields.  Working with the farmers has also resulted in big reduction in alcoholism due to the sugar being used for other products and in addition, the increase in price makes alcohol less cost effective to make.</p>
<p>Cepicafe has seen a huge growth in cocoa production and export.  There are a number of factors that have led to this increase.  Firstly buyers are looking for a high quality aromatic cocoa.  Also the quality of the bigger cocoa producers has reduced but the most important factor has been the marketing of white cocoa &#8220;Porcelana” which is considered the best in the world.
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<li class="apf_footer"><a href="http://blog.shared-interest.com/?p=3929">The Brazil Nut Effect </a></li>
<li class="apf_footer"><a href="http://blog.shared-interest.com/?p=3920">A Lifeline for the Community </a></li>
<li class="apf_footer"><a href="http://blog.shared-interest.com/?p=3895">Going Bananas in Peru </a></li>
<li class="apf_footer"><a href="http://blog.shared-interest.com/?p=2879">My Land is Kenya </a></li>
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	<a href="http://www.shared-interest.com/member.php?utm_source=Shared%2BInterest%20Blog%20Footer&#038;utm_medium=blog&#038;utm_campaign=sharedinterestblogfooter"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2515/3878191042_27f57b5fbd_s.jpg" width="75" height="75" alt="Namayiana - Fair Trade Producer Visit" border="0" /></a>
</td>
<td style="vertical-align:middle;" align="center">
	<a href="http://www.shared-interest.com/member.php?utm_source=Shared%2BInterest%20Blog%20Footer&#038;utm_medium=blog&#038;utm_campaign=sharedinterestblogfooter"><strong>Click here to learn how you can invest in fair trade.</strong></a><br />
<br />
	<a href="http://bit.ly/9VATYV"><strong>Click here to donate to the Shared Interest Foundation</strong></a>
</td>
<td style="width: 75px">
	<a href="http://www.shared-interest.com/member.php?utm_source=Shared%2BInterest%20Blog%20Footer&#038;utm_medium=blog&#038;utm_campaign=sharedinterestblogfooter"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3137/2909253327_78b8f9c31e_s.jpg" width="75" height="75" alt="Mexican coffee farmer at work in the fields" border="0" /></a>
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		<title>Lending approved for Mexican coffee co-operative Huatusco</title>
		<link>http://blog.shared-interest.com/2011/06/15/lending-approved-for-mexican-coffee-co-operative-huatusco/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.shared-interest.com/2011/06/15/lending-approved-for-mexican-coffee-co-operative-huatusco/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 15 Jun 2011 12:50:03 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Stacey</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Business Development]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[approved]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[co-op]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Co-operative]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fairtrade]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Huatusco]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[lending]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mexican coffee]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.shared-interest.com/?p=3149</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Huatusco is a small town in the Veracruz region in the south of Mexico. The co-operative is very important to the local economy and has 43 producer groups with over 2,000 individual coffee farmers. 56 people are employed at the &#8230; <a href="http://blog.shared-interest.com/2012/01/20/coffee-cocoa-and-social-impact/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>On Wednesday we left the banana plantations behind to visit Cepicafe to learn more about their Fairtrade coffee, sugar and cocoa exports.  When we arrived they were hosting an international conference but Finance Manager, Jose Fernando Reyes Cordova still found the time to show us around their facilities. Cepicafe is a fascinating model that really helps grass roots communities. Farmers are encouraged to work together in associations in order to increase the scale of production and reduce costs.  Once the association is large enough they are given assistance and staff to become independent. </p>
<p>Cepicafe exports sugar, coffee, cocoa, marmalade and juice.  Shared Interest funds have been particularly helpful in this time of high coffee prices. During our visit we looked at the sugar and coffee processing, before heading out to see the cocoa farms.</p>
<p><a href="http://blog.shared-interest.com/wp-content/uploads/Sorting-coffee-at-Cepicafe.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3908" title="Sorting coffee at Cepicafe" src="http://blog.shared-interest.com/wp-content/uploads/Sorting-coffee-at-Cepicafe-e1327052459949-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p>
<p>Sugar cane needs a lot of sun to grow so the region is perfect. Cepicafe works with 700 sugar producers and by exporting sugar cane they have improved their quality of life and self-esteem significantly. Particular emphasis is placed on training the farmers to reduce their costs and maximise their yields.  Working with the farmers has also resulted in big reduction in alcoholism due to the sugar being used for other products and in addition, the increase in price makes alcohol less cost effective to make.</p>
<p>Cepicafe has seen a huge growth in cocoa production and export.  There are a number of factors that have led to this increase.  Firstly buyers are looking for a high quality aromatic cocoa.  Also the quality of the bigger cocoa producers has reduced but the most important factor has been the marketing of white cocoa &#8220;Porcelana” which is considered the best in the world.
<div id="apf_post_footer">
<h4>Related Articles</h4>
<ul>
<li class="apf_footer"><a href="http://blog.shared-interest.com/?p=3929">The Brazil Nut Effect </a></li>
<li class="apf_footer"><a href="http://blog.shared-interest.com/?p=3920">A Lifeline for the Community </a></li>
<li class="apf_footer"><a href="http://blog.shared-interest.com/?p=3895">Going Bananas in Peru </a></li>
<li class="apf_footer"><a href="http://blog.shared-interest.com/?p=2879">My Land is Kenya </a></li>
</ul>
</div>
<table width="100%" border="0">
<tr>
<td style="width: 75px">
	<a href="http://www.shared-interest.com/member.php?utm_source=Shared%2BInterest%20Blog%20Footer&#038;utm_medium=blog&#038;utm_campaign=sharedinterestblogfooter"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2515/3878191042_27f57b5fbd_s.jpg" width="75" height="75" alt="Namayiana - Fair Trade Producer Visit" border="0" /></a>
</td>
<td style="vertical-align:middle;" align="center">
	<a href="http://www.shared-interest.com/member.php?utm_source=Shared%2BInterest%20Blog%20Footer&#038;utm_medium=blog&#038;utm_campaign=sharedinterestblogfooter"><strong>Click here to learn how you can invest in fair trade.</strong></a><br />
<br />
	<a href="http://bit.ly/9VATYV"><strong>Click here to donate to the Shared Interest Foundation</strong></a>
</td>
<td style="width: 75px">
	<a href="http://www.shared-interest.com/member.php?utm_source=Shared%2BInterest%20Blog%20Footer&#038;utm_medium=blog&#038;utm_campaign=sharedinterestblogfooter"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3137/2909253327_78b8f9c31e_s.jpg" width="75" height="75" alt="Mexican coffee farmer at work in the fields" border="0" /></a>
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		<title>Lending approved for two Peruvian banana co‑operatives</title>
		<link>http://blog.shared-interest.com/2011/06/14/two-peruvian-banana-co%e2%80%91operatives-get-lending-approved/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.shared-interest.com/2011/06/14/two-peruvian-banana-co%e2%80%91operatives-get-lending-approved/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 14 Jun 2011 12:11:35 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Stacey</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Business Development]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[approved]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[new lending]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[recent months]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[shared interest]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Wide range]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.shared-interest.com/?p=3119</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Shared Interest has made loans to two banana co‑operatives in Peru, BOS and CEPIBO, to help them improve production and increase export sales. BOS is owned directly by some 500 individual farmers. CEPIBO is a larger operation, and is owned &#8230; <a href="http://blog.shared-interest.com/2012/01/20/coffee-cocoa-and-social-impact/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>On Wednesday we left the banana plantations behind to visit Cepicafe to learn more about their Fairtrade coffee, sugar and cocoa exports.  When we arrived they were hosting an international conference but Finance Manager, Jose Fernando Reyes Cordova still found the time to show us around their facilities. Cepicafe is a fascinating model that really helps grass roots communities. Farmers are encouraged to work together in associations in order to increase the scale of production and reduce costs.  Once the association is large enough they are given assistance and staff to become independent. </p>
<p>Cepicafe exports sugar, coffee, cocoa, marmalade and juice.  Shared Interest funds have been particularly helpful in this time of high coffee prices. During our visit we looked at the sugar and coffee processing, before heading out to see the cocoa farms.</p>
<p><a href="http://blog.shared-interest.com/wp-content/uploads/Sorting-coffee-at-Cepicafe.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3908" title="Sorting coffee at Cepicafe" src="http://blog.shared-interest.com/wp-content/uploads/Sorting-coffee-at-Cepicafe-e1327052459949-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p>
<p>Sugar cane needs a lot of sun to grow so the region is perfect. Cepicafe works with 700 sugar producers and by exporting sugar cane they have improved their quality of life and self-esteem significantly. Particular emphasis is placed on training the farmers to reduce their costs and maximise their yields.  Working with the farmers has also resulted in big reduction in alcoholism due to the sugar being used for other products and in addition, the increase in price makes alcohol less cost effective to make.</p>
<p>Cepicafe has seen a huge growth in cocoa production and export.  There are a number of factors that have led to this increase.  Firstly buyers are looking for a high quality aromatic cocoa.  Also the quality of the bigger cocoa producers has reduced but the most important factor has been the marketing of white cocoa &#8220;Porcelana” which is considered the best in the world.
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	<a href="http://www.shared-interest.com/member.php?utm_source=Shared%2BInterest%20Blog%20Footer&#038;utm_medium=blog&#038;utm_campaign=sharedinterestblogfooter"><strong>Click here to learn how you can invest in fair trade.</strong></a><br />
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		<title>“Their Innovation Knows No Bounds”</title>
		<link>http://blog.shared-interest.com/2011/04/01/%e2%80%9ctheir-innovation-knows-no-bounds%e2%80%9d/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.shared-interest.com/2011/04/01/%e2%80%9ctheir-innovation-knows-no-bounds%e2%80%9d/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 01 Apr 2011 14:57:16 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Sally</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Business Development]]></category>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.shared-interest.com/?p=2902</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[As Supporter Relations Officer part of my role involves promoting Shared Interest to potential new members. Fairtrade Fortnight in particular usually means the opportunity to speak to a myriad of different groups. I often find that case studies are the &#8230; <a href="http://blog.shared-interest.com/2012/01/20/coffee-cocoa-and-social-impact/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>On Wednesday we left the banana plantations behind to visit Cepicafe to learn more about their Fairtrade coffee, sugar and cocoa exports.  When we arrived they were hosting an international conference but Finance Manager, Jose Fernando Reyes Cordova still found the time to show us around their facilities. Cepicafe is a fascinating model that really helps grass roots communities. Farmers are encouraged to work together in associations in order to increase the scale of production and reduce costs.  Once the association is large enough they are given assistance and staff to become independent. </p>
<p>Cepicafe exports sugar, coffee, cocoa, marmalade and juice.  Shared Interest funds have been particularly helpful in this time of high coffee prices. During our visit we looked at the sugar and coffee processing, before heading out to see the cocoa farms.</p>
<p><a href="http://blog.shared-interest.com/wp-content/uploads/Sorting-coffee-at-Cepicafe.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3908" title="Sorting coffee at Cepicafe" src="http://blog.shared-interest.com/wp-content/uploads/Sorting-coffee-at-Cepicafe-e1327052459949-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p>
<p>Sugar cane needs a lot of sun to grow so the region is perfect. Cepicafe works with 700 sugar producers and by exporting sugar cane they have improved their quality of life and self-esteem significantly. Particular emphasis is placed on training the farmers to reduce their costs and maximise their yields.  Working with the farmers has also resulted in big reduction in alcoholism due to the sugar being used for other products and in addition, the increase in price makes alcohol less cost effective to make.</p>
<p>Cepicafe has seen a huge growth in cocoa production and export.  There are a number of factors that have led to this increase.  Firstly buyers are looking for a high quality aromatic cocoa.  Also the quality of the bigger cocoa producers has reduced but the most important factor has been the marketing of white cocoa &#8220;Porcelana” which is considered the best in the world.
<div id="apf_post_footer">
<h4>Related Articles</h4>
<ul>
<li class="apf_footer"><a href="http://blog.shared-interest.com/?p=3929">The Brazil Nut Effect </a></li>
<li class="apf_footer"><a href="http://blog.shared-interest.com/?p=3920">A Lifeline for the Community </a></li>
<li class="apf_footer"><a href="http://blog.shared-interest.com/?p=3895">Going Bananas in Peru </a></li>
<li class="apf_footer"><a href="http://blog.shared-interest.com/?p=2879">My Land is Kenya </a></li>
</ul>
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	<a href="http://www.shared-interest.com/member.php?utm_source=Shared%2BInterest%20Blog%20Footer&#038;utm_medium=blog&#038;utm_campaign=sharedinterestblogfooter"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2515/3878191042_27f57b5fbd_s.jpg" width="75" height="75" alt="Namayiana - Fair Trade Producer Visit" border="0" /></a>
</td>
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	<a href="http://www.shared-interest.com/member.php?utm_source=Shared%2BInterest%20Blog%20Footer&#038;utm_medium=blog&#038;utm_campaign=sharedinterestblogfooter"><strong>Click here to learn how you can invest in fair trade.</strong></a><br />
<br />
	<a href="http://bit.ly/9VATYV"><strong>Click here to donate to the Shared Interest Foundation</strong></a>
</td>
<td style="width: 75px">
	<a href="http://www.shared-interest.com/member.php?utm_source=Shared%2BInterest%20Blog%20Footer&#038;utm_medium=blog&#038;utm_campaign=sharedinterestblogfooter"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3137/2909253327_78b8f9c31e_s.jpg" width="75" height="75" alt="Mexican coffee farmer at work in the fields" border="0" /></a>
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