Short Biography

In 1994, the Eksteenskuil Farmers’ Association (EFA) was established as a body to represent the interests of a community of smallholder farmers living on islands in the Orange River, approximately 40 kilometres to the west of Upington in the Northern Cape. Having investigated opportunities for engaging in the newly democratised South Africa, United Kingdom (UK)-based Traidcraft identified the EFA as potential suppliers of dried fruit. In the early years Traidcraft paid an additional price premium to support the community. In 2003, the EFA and its 80 raisin producing members attained Fairtrade Labelling Organisation certification and thus became the world’s first Fairtrade raisin suppliers.

The EFA’s status as an association was legally ambiguous thus it was decided to register it as a co-operative in 2006 – the Eksteenskuil Agricultural Co-operative (EAC). The relationship with Traidcraft has remained strong throughout. Currently, Traidcraft purchases a significant proportion of the EFA’s vine fruits (predominantly Thomson’s raisins) for Geobars, muesli, fruit cakes, puddings, and raisin packs. Traidcraft have consistently provided developmental support, funding and have facilitated a range of projects. They have also provided targeted support to the farmers following damaging hailstorms in 2002, poor harvests in 2005 and a fire in 2009.