The cooperative of Banana Workers of the South, Coopetrabasur, emerged in the 1980’s in the southern Pacific coast of Costa Rica. This area had been abandoned by banana firms who left in their wake high unemployment and a gradual reduction of public and private sector investment.

Coopetrabasur is currently the only collectively based banana exporting organization certified by FLO in Central America. Since obtaining FLO certification in 1997 Fairtrade related sales have steadily increased, accounting for 65% of total sales of the cooperative in 2006. Access to the Fairtrade market has allowed Coopetrabasur to maintain its position in the marketplace despite the low international prices for bananas. With regard to this topic Maynor Ugalde, Manager of Coopetrabasur points out: “Thanks to Fairtrade the cooperative sells a part of its total production at prices which cover our production costs. That is what enables us to maintain employment offers year after year”.

The person in charge of exports in the cooperative, José Juárez also affirms: “We hope at some point to sell all our produce at Fairtrade prices. These prices really compensate all our efforts and allow us to further develop the social aspects of our organization.”

The organizational features of Coopetrabasur distinguish it from others within the Fairtrade system. Certified under the hired labour Standard, each and every one of the cooperative members, in the same way as non-members, work in planning, harvesting and packing. With a view to creating growth opportunities beyond merely maintaining employment opportunities, the families of both associated and non-associated members of Coopetrabasur organized themselves as a service cooperative under the name of Coopesersur, which currently offers its services to Coopetrabasur and other organizations of the area.

Huascar Blanco, Quality Manager of Coopetrabasur, considers that participation in the Fairtrade system has allowed them to develop and implement a Social-Environmental Improvement Program, PROMESA, which aims to make a significant contribution to health, work, gender, environment, housing and other issues.

FLO Centroamerica congratulates Coopetrabasur on reaching its milestone 10th birthday in the Fairtrade system. Let’s hope that the next 10 years are every bit as successful for the cooperative!

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Copyright (C) 2007 Alain Georgette / Copyright (C) 2006 Frantisek Hliva. All rights reserved.