“The world must shift the focus of trade from being driven solely by profits to serve people-centered development” Yash Tandon Executive Director of South Centre says.

Citing trends in global coffee trade the report argues for protection of small scale farmers saying they require concerted international efforts including international commodity agreements and commodity boards at national levels to protect producers from vulnerability to market shocks and manipulation by giant multinationals.  

“With market power concentrated in a few hands internationally, African farmers find it hard to build up enough cash to diversify their crops” Dede Amanor-Wilks ActionAid’s West & Central Africa Director says.

“The market is just too narrow and we need to open it up more fairly to small-scale producers”

The report indicts developed countries for failing to eliminate trade, distorting subsidies and reducing opportunities for developing countries to access their markets, saying they are simply not committed to live what they promise.

•  In 1994, the top twelve companies accounted for 80% share of the global pesticides market.  By 2002, this number halved and the top six companies: BASF, Bayer, Dow, DuPont, Monsanto and Syngenta now control 80% of the market between them.
• Only two companies, Du Pont and Monsanto, controlled 65% of the world's maize seed market in 2002.
  Bulk commodity trading:
•  In 1998, the top six coffee trading companies held 50% of the world market.  By 2002, the top three: Neumann, ED&F Man and Esteve held 45% of the market. 
•  In 2002, just two companies – Cargill and Archer Daniels Midland – controlled three-quarters of the global grain trade.
• Two companies, Chiquita and Dole, controlled nearly 50% of world banana trade in 2002.
  

•  Only two companies, Nestle and Philip Morris/Altria, controlled nearly 60% of the world market for roasted and instant coffee in 2002.