COPLA Products

This analysis highlights the failure of two Central American countries with very different enabling environments (Honduras and Nicaragua) to develop their infant wooden furniture industries (or, in fact, any significant value addition to lumber), despite having abundant natural resources available and having experienced significant liberalisation of trade since the early 1990s. The link between trade liberalisation and trade growth is questioned, as are state-led approaches to natural resource management of forestry reserves.

This case study evaluates the outcomes of rural community-based tourism in Nicaragua (five communities) and Guatemala (four communities), as an alternative to more mainstream tourist development. Despite strong community organisations (cooperatives) and some tourism natural assets (caves and culture) – and, in the case of Nicaragua, reasonable infrastructure and access to markets – the financial sustainability of initiatives has been badly affected by an inability to link with the main distribution channels (tour operators and hoteliers).

This is an assessment of the impact of Brazil nut cultivation on the labour market and poverty in a region of Bolivia with few other economic alternatives. The study focuses on the terms and conditions involved in jobs created for collectors and processors during the short harvesting season.

This study evaluates the varying degrees of success with which small-scale producers, as a result of various donor projects, have been able to supply urban and international markets with trout from Peru. The study highlights the barriers faced by small local producers to access to export markets. It questions whether sophisticated markets can be used to reduce poverty and highlights the important role of local government in promoting private sector investment.

This is an analysis of the impact of organic and fair trade certification on banana producers and organisations in a relatively disadvantaged area of Peru. The study explores how relatively small-scale farmers – organised into associations – can benefit from niche markets. Higher input costs are more than offset by significantly higher prices obtained by accessing high-value export markets. The role of associations in supporting individual farmers is highlighted. Agricultural labour conditions on banana plantations are not explored in this analysis.

In recent years, Latin America has moved rapidly towards liberalising trade, both in the region and internationally. This has stimulated active debate on the merits of a more open trading regime. Getting lost in this polarised debate is an understanding of the impact of changes in the trade regime on marginalised groups, particularly the rural poor. This report examines how value chain analysis can, in a practical way, help the rural poor participate gainfully in local, regional and global trade, by:

This briefing examines how value chain analysis (VCA) can, in a practical way, help the rural poor participate gainfully in local, regional and global trade. It begins by explaining why value chains have emerged as a helpful entry point for discussions on rural poverty. Focusing on Latin America, it then summarises some constraints faced by low-income participants in agriculture, while outlining a framework for how the rural poor can upgrade their position within viable value chains.

Macroeconomic policy such as the extent to which an economy opens to internetaional trade does influence productivity levels at a national level.

A summary of the theories explaining the link between trade and poverty.

The studies that are mentioned below suggest that the lagging zones have not necessarily benefited from trade policy measures oriented to increase international trade among countries. When trade openness takes place, through a trade liberalization for example, the terms of trade (relative prices of exports in relation to those of imports), and savings in foreign exchange tend to change.

Documento de opinión sobre las repercusiones que tendría el TLC con Estados Unidos en los campesinos de las zonas andinas del Perú

There is a widespread, but hard to quantify, view in Latin America that the poor are over-represented among the losers of liberalised trade. This leads to a pressing question: how can interested stakeholders influence trade policy-making to make trade work better for the poor?

This is the latest Briefing Paper from ODI for COPLA. It argues that: Changes in employment, prices and social expenditures are three pathways linking trade and gender; Trade liberalisation may have positive or negative impacts, but there are risks for women; Trade reforms must be complemented by social and labour policies to ensure that women can take full advantage of the new economic environment

This document, of the Briefing paper series, presents succintly the links between trade, growth and rural poverty with an emphasis on the potential negative impact that the FTA signed with the United States will have on vulnerable sectors living on agriculture on the andean regions of Peru.