Year of publication 2005

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Pages 52

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Author Andrew W. Shepherd;Rural Infrastructure and Agro-Industries Division

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Product type Book (stand-alone)

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Series title Agricultural management, marketing and finance occasional paper

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Edition 1

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Synopsis (short abstract) Associations of agricultural traders have the potential both to facilitate the work of their members and to achieve greater efficiency in the marketing chain. They can increase the possibility that the vital role traders play in food marketing and distribution is recognized and can assist in improving the infrastructural and regulatory framework under which trading takes place. By working together as an association traders can also reduce marketing transaction costs, reduce risk, improve liaison with market managers and provide important welfare services. Associations also provide an important means of resolving disputes, both among members and between members and outsiders. This paper reports on studies of associations from markets in Africa, Asia, the Near East and Latin America, carried out in 2004. The paper will prove beneficial to existing associations by highlighting new activities in which they could become involved and by assisting them to draw on experiences of other associat ions around the world. The paper will also be of interest to national and local policy-makers to alert them to the important roles that traders’ associations can play and to the need to engage in dialogue with such associations when formulating policy and to non-governmental organizations and donors who may wish to support the development of such associations. Avenues for future research are also suggested.

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Language English

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