CONAPI Consorzio di Apicoltori ed agricoltori-biologici italiani

Who is CONAPI 600 beekeepers from all the regions of Italy. 2 cooperatives of Libera Terra (organic producers of pasta, flour and wine from Sicilia and Calabria) 1 group of organic rice 1 cooperative of organic fruits producers 7 Fairtrade cooperatives from many countries of coffee, honey, sugar, cocoa.

Production Honey Produces about tons of honey, about 45% is organic Conapi is the biggest honey producer in Italy and the also the biggest of organic honey Biggest producer of organic rice Important producer of organic pasta.

Philosophy of Conapi development of production which respects the environment and cultural aspect of the food Respect of origin, land, quality and identity of the producers respect of the biodiversity

ALCE NERO – MIELIZIA da Conapi (MediTERRAbio s.p.a.) Social capital: 3.2 Mill. Euro Forecasted Turnover for 2004: 20 millon Euro OWNER OF THE BRANDS DISTRIBUTOR OF THE BRANDS

PRINCIPLES, WHICH GUIDES OUR PRODUCTIVE AND COMMERCIAL POLICY: QUALITY IDENTITY PROTAGONISM OF THE PRODUCERS INNOVATION

VALUE OF THE ORIGIN OF THE PRODUCTS

Beekeeper’s name Origin Harvest date Numbered jars IDENTITY CARD OF THE HONEY The traceability is the most important instrument for shorten the distance between producers and consumers.

Working with Fairtrade since 1998 Product: honey from México, Guatemala and Nicaragua Why working with Fairtrade? Solidarity with the producers of the South.

Working with Fairtrade since 1998 Dealing and distributing direct Building of MONDOVERO, a brand, with other processors of coffee, chocolate, tea for a better distribution.

Working with Fairtrade since 1998 Dealing and distributing direct Building of MONDOVERO, a brand, with other processors of coffee, chocolate, tea for a better distribution.

IDENTITY OF THE PRODUCERS

Changes of the way of working with Fairtrade: Decision of Conapi to cancel Mondovero: a) brand wasn’t known enough, no interest to invest while, Alce Nero is well known. b) Conapi is not just a dealer, dissatisfaction. c) Fairtrade producers wanted a new way.

Problems of Southern producers in working within Fairtrade: They are producers of raw materials (no added value) of one product; Only export is possible within fairtrade, no or weak connection with the local market.

Association of international Cooperatives Sin Fronteras (CSF)

What is CSF? An assocciation of producer cooperatives from many countries, which are trying to improve their position in the market, specifically the organic, the fairtrade and the local/domestic market. It is a strategic alliance between producers in the North and the South.

Members of CSF At present: 15 cooperatives (and producer associations) from 10 countries: Italy, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama, Guatemala, México, El Salvador, Brasil, Perú and Argentina. And 3 stakeholder organizations (non-producer organizations): one finance cooperative (ETIMOS) and 2 NGO’s.

Main tasks of the Association CSF To allow democratic participation To develop policy and establish roles To organize training and define new markets

How does the system work? Business is done among the cooperatives, that means, CSF isn’t replacing existing structures. FT-Products are brought with as much added value as possible to Italy, Conapi processes and distributes it on behalf of the producers.

Products Whole raw sugar, coffee, cocoa products, honey In preparation: orange and mandarin juice, tropical juice, organic white sugar.