Trade Connections

13 March 2010

While many stands at the popular four day event showcased the very best of Scottish produce, it was high quality Malawian products that drew the visitors to the Trade Connection and SFTF stand.

Record visitor numbers at the show lead to a fantastic atmosphere; many stoppped at the stand to find out more and to sample some of the fairly traded goods on display.

The aim of the stand was to raise public awareness of the common challenges faced by Scottish farmers and Fair Trade producers in the developing world – challenges including getting a fair price for products and addressing the impacts of climate change. It is the belief of those involved in organising the stand that such challenges can be better addressed through working together and trading goods that complement each other. The stand included exhibitors with Malawian products as well highlighting the benefits of buying fresh Scottish goods, a belief which could be seen in the samples of delicious chutney from Malawi served on luxurious oatcakes produced in Fife. Consumer awareness has increased in recent years through initiatives including ‘Fairtrade’ and ‘Buy Local’ and the stand helped raise public awareness of the benefits of both.

Visitors were able to watch a documentary showing the positive impacts that Fair Trade is having on producers in Malawi. Staff were also on-hand to answer questions and to discuss the issues further with visitors.

The products available to buy included fairly traded rice from smallholder farms in Malawi and Fairtrade Malawian tea. The rice is the most recent product to be imported by Just Trading Scotland as part of the Scottish Government’s Trade Connections project.

A VIP tea tasting event was held at the show at which Trumpers Tea launched a new high quality Fairtrade Malawian tea, complemented by fresh milk from Grahams Family Dairy. The event provided a forum for discussion relating to Fair Trade and local farming, with guests including the Malawian High Commissioner to the UK and UK industry representatives.

The Malawian High Commissioner, H.E. Dr Moto, commented:

‘Scotland and Malawi have much to share with one another as we face challenging economic times. Farmers in Scotland and in Malawi face common issues and both deserve a fair deal for their produce’.

Scotland is well on its way to becoming one of the world’s first Fair Trade Nations and promoting a fair deal for farmers everywhere is an essential part of that. The SFTF and NFU Scotland have begun to pave the way in the UK by issuing a joint statement calling for a ‘fair deal’ for all farmers.

Events such as the tea tasting are forming new relationships between producers in developing countries and Scottish farmers looking for a fair deal. It is hoped that this and similar events in the UK will continue to stimulate discussion and will result in promoting fairness in all aspects of UK trading relationships. Imani Development and SFTF are both continuing to develop projects and support for fair trade both in Malawi and the UK and are already anticipating a bigger stand at next years Royal Highland Show.