Archive for the ‘fair trade’ Category
The Biggest Trade Event in China: Canton Fair 104th Autumn Session
The Canton Fair has become the most comprehensive trade event in China since its inception in 1957 and the recent move to the larger Pazhou Complex should help with its ever-increasing expansion. Held twice per year (Spring and Autumn) in Guanzhou, China’s “Flower City”, the fair has the largest scale, the widest variety of exhibits (nearly 20,000) and the most business turnover from nearly 200,000 buyers and expects even higher figures every year. Instead of the traditional two phases, this year’s edition will be broken into three. Industries are scheduled to present in their respective phases, with each phase running for 5 days from October 15th to November 6th.
Canton Fair 104th Session:
Phase 1: October 15th – 19th, 2008
Phase 2: October 24th – 28th, 2008
Phase 3: November 2nd – 6th, 2008
The 104th session will focus on industrial products, supplemented by consumer goods. The exhibits fall into 9 exhibition subsections.
1. Machinery and Equipment
2. Small Vehicles and Spare Parts
3. Hardware and Tools
4. Building Materials and Kitchen and Sanitary equipment
5. Electronics, IT Products and Household Electrical Appliances
6. Consumer Goods
7. Decorations and Gifts
8. Foodstuffs and Agricultural Products
9. Raw Materials
There’s no question on how successful of this major trading events in one of the world’s economic leading countries will be when you looked at the impressive statistical data. The previous fair in April welcomed 192,013 overseas buyers, increased by 1.3% compared to that in the last session. The Asia buyers reached 104,265, the European buyers 37,161, the American buyers 27,581, the African buyers 16,666, and the Oceania buyers 6,320 In terms of participating buyers, the top five countries and regions were Hong Kong SAR, America, Taiwan Province, India and Malaysia who enjoyed a business turnover of over USD 30,000 million.(Source: Chinacantonfair.com)
Since China has just opened its arms to the world not too long ago with the expansion of its international investment and also the hosting of some major world events such as Beijing Olympic 2008 which welcomed all people from around the world to get involve, everyone knows that all statistics were just only in the beginning stage.
For more information regarding The Canton Fair 104th session, check on Chinacantonfair.com. Please also note that business travelers are recommended to solidify their travel plans early, in order to receive – the best deals on their flight and hotel in Guangzhou which provide easy access to the Canton Fair.
What’S The Big Deal About Fair Trade Chocolate?
Why fair trade chocolate is important
Few of us dislike chocolate, which explains its relative popularity as well as the growing interest in fair trade chocolate. As a confection that figures into most major holidays, and as a treat that’s enjoyed by young and old year-round, its effect on the planet and the communities that produce it is significant. As consumers gain an understanding of the serious social and environmental issues associated with conventionally-grown chocolate, Fair Trade Certified and organic chocolate is gaining a loyal following.
But what is fair trade chocolate, what why is it important? Child slavery, unfair working conditions, and unsustainable farming practices all play into the concerns of a growing group of chocolate-lovers.
Child slavery
Fair trade chocolate is definitely a social issue, especially in regions like Africa where most of the world’s chocolate is grown. According to the organization Global Exchange, the US State Department recently reported that 15,000 children aged 9 to 12 were working as enslaved laborers in plantations that grow chocolate, cotton, and coffee. In addition to the child slaves, as many as 284,000 children are working on cacao farms with their parents because their parents cannot afford school.
Working conditions on these farms can be quite hazardous. Dangerous tasks like working with machetes and applying toxic chemicals like insecticides and pesticides without protective gear are common. These children also work long hours at very strenuous tasks with little nourishment. And amazingly, although these children work with cacao for years, they have never tasted chocolate.
Unfair pricing
Yet children aren’t the only ones suffering without fair trade certifications. Adult farmers see a disproportionately small amount of profit for their labors and are also forced to work in unfair and unsafe conditions. Non-fair trade chocolate companies have refused to establish stable and sufficient prices for cocoa, and as a result, prices fluctuate and are often well below production costs.
According to Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International, only one penny from a typical candy bar will go to the farmer. This forces cacao farmers to adopt additional industries to support their families, like raising livestock or growing alternate crops.
Environmentally unsustainable
To add insult to injury, most farmers feel obligated to use chemicals to control pests and spur on the growth of their chocolate. These pesticides, insecticides, and fertilizers pollute their soil and water and make the farmers themselves ill, feeding into the problem of poverty.
Additionally, non-organic chocolate often requires that a farmer clear the trees in their area. This leaves them vulnerable to topsoil loss, reductions in water retention, increased rates of flooding, and other devastating environmental conditions that further trap them in the cycle of poverty.
What sustainable chocolate looks like
So what is Fair Trade Certified chocolate and how can organic chocolate growers benefit from different farming methods?
Direct trade
Fair trade chocolate is one of the ways to help farmers get out of poverty. By using a direct trade system, farmers enter into contracts with cocoa buyers that guarantee them a minimum price for their beans. This helps farmers maintain a stable income that is sustainable for providing for their family’s needs.
Fair labor conditions
When selling to fair trade chocolate companies, cacao farmers are prohibited from employing children—whether they are child slaves or their own offspring—from working on the farm until they are 18 years of age (although some work is allowed by blood relatives if it does not interfere with schooling). This ensures the community’s children are getting a good education and are not working in harsh and unhealthy conditions.
Community development
In addition to the above benefits associated with fair trade chocolate, farmers often work together with their buyers to conduct community development projects. Some of the money made by the farmers is pooled and re-invested in the community to establish scholarship programs, conduct training in organic chocolate cultivation, or providing health care programs.
Environmental sustainability
Finally, farmers who are able to sell to fair trade chocolate companies are also encouraged and/or required to use environmentally-sensitive cultivation methods. In general, they are discouraged from clearing virgin forests or other ecosystems of high value and using or handling pesticides and fertilizers. Organic chocolate is often also made with Certified Organic dairy, which ensures it is free of hormones commonly administered to cattle to stimulate milk production.
Types of Fair Trade and Organic Chocolate Certifications
Today, there are several well-known fair trade certification systems used around the world to ensure you receive a product that is third-party verified to be better for the farmers and better for the planet.
TransFair USA
TransFair USA is one fair trade certifier that ensures you get a consistent fair trade chocolate product every time. A nonprofit organization, this group encourages fair prices, fair labor conditions, direct trade arrangements, community development projects, sustainable chocolate growing methods, and other socially- and environmentally-aware practices. They operate under the umbrella organization Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International.
Rainforest Alliance
Understanding that forests in tropical regions are being cut down to cultivate chocolate, the founders of the Rainforest Alliance certification program established a set of standards to protect these valuable ecological areas. Farmers must abide by standards for ecological preservation, soil and water conservation, humane working conditions, integrated crop management, waste management, and so on.
USDA Certified Organic
The USDA Certified Organic label is another sign of sustainably-produced chocolate. Certified Organic chocolate must be grown without pesticides and fertilizers and is usually shade-grown, meaning it doesn’t require the chopping down of valuable trees.
Fair Trade chocolate facts
Fair trade chocolate and organically-grown chocolate equals sustainable chocolates. Purchase them when you can to support farmers and a healthier planet. In the meantime, consider these interesting organic and fair trade chocolate facts.
Countries producing Fair Trade and Certified Organic cacao
Belize Bolivia Brazil Cameroon Columbia Costa Rica The Dominican Republic Ecuador El Salvador Ghana Guatemala Haiti Honduras India Ivory Coast Mexico Nicaragua Panama Peru Quantity of chocolate eaten by average American
The average American eats approximately 12 pounds of chocolate every year.
Quantity of certified organic chocolate sold in the US
Sales of fair trade and organic chocolate are gaining market share, with 2006 growth in this market at about 49 percent.
Jewelry Trade Fairs
Trade organizations of jewelry
The list below includes some of the most famous trade shows for jewelry taking place in myriad countries. These shows give traders means to display and demonstrate their range of jewelry including gemstones, minerals, gold, silver and other jewelry related products. These trade shows happen to be world’s largest exhibition for jewelry attracting a huge crowd of people. Traders with their unique traditional jewelry as well as the costume jewelry participate in these exhibitions to offer people with unique jewelry choices.
These shows are an excellent means to display your products and build a strong network by getting noticed by traders in the same field. There are more than 2000 jewelry trade shows taking place across the world. Below is the list of some of the most popular jewelry shows in USA and Europe.
ABOUT J Venue: Fiera di Vicenza City:Vicenza ( Italy ) Month: 22.02 – 24.02 2009
PAVILLON DES ANTIQUAIRES ET DES BEAUX ARTS Description: Furniture, Drawings, Paintings, Sculpture from the Renaissance to our days, Antiquities, Modernism, Photography, Design, Primitive Arts, Asian Art, Contemporary Glass, Jewellery, Silver, Carpets, Tapestries… Venue: Jardin des Tuilleries City: Paris ( France ) Month: 01.04 – 05.04 2009
PERU MODA International Trade Show of Textile Description: Apparel, Footwear and Jewellery Venue: Museo de la Nacion City: Lima ( Peru ) Month: April
GEM WORLD Description: Gems & Precious Stones Venue: Rimini Fiera City: Rimini ( Italy ) Month: April
MOSTRA EUROJÓIA Description: Gold, Silver, Jewelry and Watches Exhibition Venue: Batalha Centro de Exposições City: Batalha ( Portugal ) Month: May
JEWELRY EXPO Description: International Jewelry Exhibition Venue: International Fair Plovdiv 12.05 – 17.05 2009 City:Plovdiv ( Bulgaria ) Month: May
EPHJ Description: Watch and Jewellery Professional Environment Exhibition Venue: Palais de Beaulieu 12.05 – 15.05 2009 City: Lausanne ( Switzerland ) Month: May
JEWELLER EXPO UKRAINE Description: International Specialized Exhibition in Jewelry Venue: KievExpoPlaza Exhibition Center City: Kiev ( Ukraine ) Month: Twice a year, May
JEWELLER MASH EXPO Description: Specialized exhibition of equipment for jewelry production Venue: KievExpoPlaza Exhibition Center City: Kiev ( Ukraine ) Month: May
SALON OF ACCESSORIES & FASHIONABLE ADORNMENTS Description: Specialized exhibition of accessories and fashionable adornments Venue: KievExpoPlaza Exhibition Center City: Kiev ( Ukraine ) Month: May
International Exhibition of Gold, Description: Jewelry and Silverware Venue: Fiera di Vicenza City: Vicenza ( Italy ) Month: May
VICENZA ORO Description: International Show dedicated to Gold and Silverware, Jewellery and Gemology Venue: Fiera di Vicenza City: Vicenza ( Italy ) Month: Thrice a year, May
NEW RUSSIAN STYLE (MOSCOW) Description: International Specialized Exhibition of Gifts, Adornments and Watches Venue: Gostiny Dvor – Moscow City: year Moscow ( Russia ) Month: May
CHIBIDUE Description: International Exhibition of Gift Articles, Perfumery Items, Costume Jewelry and Smokers’ Supplies Venue: Fiera Milano City City: Milan ( Italy ) Month: May
USA LUXURY & PREMIERE Description: Jewellery Event Venue: Fiera Milano City City: Las Vegas, NV ( USA – United States of America ) Month: May
USA COUTURE JEWELRY COLLECTION & CONFERENCE Description: Annual Couture Jewellery Collection & Conference Description: Wynn Las Vegas Resort City: Las Vegas, NV ( USA – United States of America ) Month: May
ELITE LIFE Description: International exhibition of golf industry, jewelry, yachts, motor boats, expensive and rare automobiles, horses, antiques, elite furniture and real estate, works of art and luxury articles, leisure and business aviation Venue: Le Meridien Moscow Country Club City: Moscow ( Russia ) Month: May
USA THE JCK SHOW – LAS VEGAS Description: Jewelry manufacturers, designers, and watch brands Exhibition Description: Sands Expo & Convention Center City: Las Vegas, NV ( USA – United States of America ) Month: 30.05 – 02.06 2009
USA PORTLAND GIFT & ACCESSORIES SHOW Description: Gift Shops, Furnishing Stores, Jewelry and Stationery Stores Show Venue: Oregon Convention Center City: Portland, OR ( USA – United States of America ) Month: 30.05 – 02.06 2009
JUBINALE Description: Jewellery & Watches Trade Fair Venue: Targi w Krakowie City: Kracow ( Poland ) Month: 05.06 – 07.06 2009
T-GOLD Description: Jewelry & Gems Manufacturing Equipment International Exhibition City: Vicenza ( Italy ) Venue: Fiera di Vicenza Month: June
MODA SALONICA Fashion Fair for Clothing, Accessories and Bijoux City: Thessaloniki ( Greece ) Venue: Thessaloniki International Exhibition Centre Month: June
USA INAST WEST – INTERNATIONAL NEW AGE SHOW Description: Event Designed Specifically to Meet the Needs of Retailers Featuring New Age and Related Products Venue: Denver Merchandise Mart CityDenver: CO ( USA – United States of America ) Month: June
USA JA INTERNATIONAL JEWELRY SHOW Description: Finest Jewelry Designers and Manufacturers Show Venue: Jacob K. Javits Convention Center City: New York, NY ( USA – United States of America ) Month: July
USA ORLANDO GIFT SHOW Description: Gift, Jewelry & Accessories Exhibition Venue: Orange County Convention Center 01.08 – 04.08 2009 City: Orlando, FL ( USA – United States of America ) Month: August
ISTANBUL JEWELRY SHOW Description: International Jewelry, Silver, Watch and Equipment Fair Venue: CNR Expo Center City: Istanbul ( Turkey ) Month: August
USA SEATTLE GIFT SHOW Description: Gift Shops, Furnishing Stores, Jewelry and Stationery Stores Show Venue: Washington State Convention & Trade Center City: Seattle, WA ( USA – United States of America ) Month: August
BIJOUX Description: Exhibition of Costume Jewelry Venue: Milano Nuovo Polo City: ( Italy ) Month: September
ECLAT DE MODE – BIJORHCA Description: International Exhibition of Watch, Jewelry, Costume Jewelry, and Fashion Accessories Venue: Paris Expo Porte de Versailles City: Paris ( France ) Month: September
MACEF AUTUNNO / PRIMAVERA Description: International Home Show. Household and Gift Articles, Costume Jewelry, Perfumery and Fancy Items, Hardware, “Do It Yourself” Venue: Fiera Milano Nuovo City: Milan ( Italy ) Month: September
MIDORA LEIPZIG Description: The Leipzig Clocks, Watches and Jewelry Trade Fair Venue: Exhibition Centre Leipzig City: Leipzig ( Germany ) Month: September
ORHOPA Description: Jewellery and Horology Business Event once a year Venue: Parc Floral de Paris City: Paris ( France ) Month: September
INTERGIFT Description: International Gift
Fair Venue: Ifema – Parque Ferial Juan Carlos I 09.09 – 13.09 2009 City: Madrid ( Spain ) Month: September
BISUTEX Description: Fashion Jewelry and Accessories Trade Fair Venue: Ifema – Parque Ferial Juan Carlos I City: Madrid ( Spain ) Month: September
GIFTRENDS MADRID International Gift, Jewellery and Fashion twice a year Venue: Ifema – Parque Ferial Juan Carlos I City: Madrid ( Spain ) Month: September IBERJOYA Description: International Jewelry, Silverware and Watch Exhibition City: Madrid ( Spain ) Venue: Ifema – Parque Ferial Juan Carlos I Month: September
JEWELLER TECH Description: International specialized trade fair of goods and services for jeweler production and trade Venue: Brothers Znamensky Olympic Center City: Moscow ( Russia ) September
JUNWEX MOSCOW Jewellery Wholesale Fair once a year Venue: Gostiny Dvor – Moscow City: Moscow ( Russia ) Month: September
CHOICE Description: International Exhibition of Gold, ewelry and Silverware Venue: Fiera di Vicenza City: Vicenza ( Italy ) Month: September
OROGEMMA International Show dedicated to Gold and Silverware, Jewellery and Gemology Venue: Fiera di Vicenza City: Vicenza ( Italy ) Month: September
JEWELLERY WORLD EXPO Description: The Leading Trade Show serving Canada’s Fine Jewelry Market Venue: Metro Toronto Convention Centre City: Toronto ( Canada ) Month: September
PORTOJÓIA Description: International Jewelry, Gold and Watch Exhibition Venue: Exponor City: Porto ( Portugal ) Month: September
WATCHES & JEWELLERY – HODINY A KLENOTY Description: Specialized Exhibition of Watches and Jewels combined with Exhibition of Exclusive Gifts once a year Venue: Prague Exhibition Grounds City: Prague ( Czech Republic ) Month: September
BEAUTY WORLD Description: International Trade Fair for Cosmetics, Hairdressing, Style, Fashion, Lingerie and Bijouterie Venue: Estonian Fairs Centre City: Tallinn ( Estonia ) Month: October
INTERGEM Description: International Trade Fair for Gems, Jewellery and Gemstone Objects Venue: Idar-Oberstein Fairgrounds City: Idar-Oberstein ( Germany ) Month: October
SALÓN DE BISUTERIA Description: Costume Jewellery, Gifts and Fashion Complements Show Venue: Bilbao Exhibition City: Bilbao ( Spain ) Month: October,
USA PORTLAND CASH & CARRY SHOW Description: Gifts & Jewelry Show Venue: Oregon Convention Center City: Portland, OR ( USA – United States of America ) Month: 09.10 – 11.10 2009
VEBO Description: Exhibition of Sweet-Boxes, Gifts, Silverware, Fittings Venue: Mostra d’Oltremare City: Napoli ( Italy ) Month: October
FOIRE INTERNATIONALE DE MONACO Description: International Fair of de Monaco Venue: Espace Fontvieille City: Monaco ( Monaco ) Month: October
KOSMIMA International Exhibition for Jewellery – Clocks & Watches – Precious Stones – Machinery and Equipment Venue: Thessaloniki International Exhibition Centre City: Thessaloniki ( Greece ) Month: October
MILLIONAIRE FAIR – MUNICH Description: International Luxury Goods Industry Fair City: Munich ( Germany ) Venue: New Munich Trade Fair Centre Month: October
MILLIONARE Description: Millionaire Exhibition – Gateway to the Luxury Lifestyle City: Istanbul ( Turkey ) Venue: CNR Expo Center Month: October
MINERALIENTAGE MÜNCHEN Description: International Sales Exhibition (BÖRSE) and German Geological Trade Fair (GEOFA) for Minerals, Fossils, Crystals, Precious Stones City: Munich ( Germany ) Venue: New Munich Trade Fair Centre Month: 30.10 – 01.11 2009
MILLIONAIRE FAIR – MOSCOW Description: International Luxury Goods Industry Fair Venue: Crocus-Expo IEC City: Moscow ( Russia ) Month: Nov
MILLIONAIRE FAIR – ISTANBUL Description: International Luxury Goods Industry Fair City: Istanbul ( Turkey ) Venue: CNR Expo Center Month: November
MILLIONAIRE UKRAINE Description: International specialized Exhibition of Elite Goods and Services, Luxury and High Lifestyle Products Venue: Kiev International Exhibition Center City: Kiev ( Ukraine ) Month: November
MILLIONAIRE SHOW Description: International Luxury Fair Venue: Exhibition Centre ‘Acco International’ City: Kiev ( Ukraine ) Month: November
WATCHES & JEWELS Description: International Trade Fair for Watches and Jewellery City: Bratislava ( Slovakia ) Venue: Bratislava Exhibition Ground Month: November
IFJA Description: International Fashion Jewellery & Accessories Fair and International Watch & Clock Fair City: Casablanca ( Morocco ) Venue: Casablanca Month: November
GEM EXHIBITION Description: International Gem Exhibition City: Tampere ( Finland ) Venue: Tampereen Messu Month: November
CHIBIMART – INVERNO Description: Cash & Carry Exhibition of Costume Jewelry in semiprecious stones, precious stones, Silver Handicraft, Gift Items City: Milan ( Italy ) Venue: Fiera Milano City Month: November
JEWELLERY ARABIA Description: Middle East International Gold, Jewelry, Clock & Watch Exhibition City: Manama ( Bahrain ) Venue: Bahrain International Exhibition & Convention Centre Month: November
MINERALS BRNO Description: International Show for Minerals, Fossils, Precious Stones and Jewellery City: Brno ( Czech Republic ) Venue: Brno Exhibition Centre Month: November
LUXURY SHOW Description: International Exhibition for Goods and Services of Luxury Venue: Romexpo City: Bucharest ( Romania ) Month: December
MINERALIEN HAMBURG Description: International Show for Minerals, Fossils, Precious Stones and Jewellery City: Hamburg ( Germany ) Venue: Hamburg Messe und Congress Month: December
KARA – LES JOURNÉES DES JOAILLIERS CRÉATEURS Description: Creative Jewelry show Venue: Carroussel du Louvre City: Paris ( France ) Month: December
MILLIONAIRE FAIR – AMSTERDAM Description: International Luxury Goods Industry Fair Venue: RAI International Exhibition and Congress Centre City: Amsterdam ( Netherlands ) Month: December
SALON INTERNATIONAL DE LA HAUTE HORLOGERIE International Exhibition of Luxury Watches Venue: Palexpo City: Geneve ( Switzerland ) Month: Jan. 2010
USA INAST EAST – INTERNATIONAL NEW AGE SHOW Description: Event Designed Specifically to Meet the Needs of Retailers Featuring New Age and Related Products USA – Etats-Unis d’Amérique City: USA – United States of America ) Month: Jan. 2010
USA MIAMI BEACH ANTIQUE JEWELRY & WATCH SHOW Description: Antique Jewelry & Watch Show Venue: Miami Beach Convention Center City: Miami, FL ( USA – United States of America ) Month: 21.01 – 25.01 2010
PRINT’OR Description: International Meeting of Jewelry and Watch Trade Professional
s Venue: Eurexpo City: Lyon ( France ) Month: 31.01 – 02.02 2010
JUNWEX-PRO Description: International Jewellery Exhibition. Fine Jewellery. Precious Metals and Stones Venue: Lenexpo Fairgrounds City: St. Petersburg ( Russia ) Month: Feb. 2010 (?)
PALM BEACH JEWELRY & ANTIQUE SHOW Description: Palm Beach Jewelry & Antique Show Venue: Palm Beach County Convention Center City: Palm Beach, FL ( USA – United States of America ) Month: Feb. 2010
JUNWEX-PRO ST.PETERSBURG Description: International Exhibition of Fine Jewellery & Precious Metals Expo Venue: Lenexpo Fairgrounds City: St. Petersburg ( Russia ) Month: Feb. 2010
ELITEXPO Description: International specialized Jewellery Fair-Exhibition. Jewellery. Jewels and semi-jewels. Technologies, Equipment and Instruments for Jewellery Production. Bank metals. Watches. Bijouterie and costly Accessories. Antiques. Author’s works of Art Venue: Lviv Palace of Arts City: Lviv ( Ukraine ) Month: Feb. 2010 (?)
JUNWEX-TECH Description: International Exhibition of Jewellery Technologies and EquipmentSt. Venue: Lenexpo Fairgrounds City: Petersburg ( Russia ) Month: 03.02 – 07.02 2010
INHORGENTA EUROPE Description: International Trade Fair for Watches, Clocks, Jewelry, Precious Stones, Pearls, Silverware and their Manufacturing Equipment Venue: New Munich Trade Fair Centre City: Munich ( Germany ) Month: 19.02 – 22.02 2010
BEAUTY MOLDOVA Description: Decorative Cosmetics, Perfumery, Beauty Shop and Hairdresser’s Equipment and Accessories, Jewelry, Gems and Costume Jewelry Venue: I.E.C. Moldexpo City: Chisinau ( Moldova ) Month: 25.02 – 28.02 2010
MADE IN FRANCE Description: ‘Haute-Façon’ Fair. Clothing (Ready-to-Wear, Women, Men, Children). Leather goods, Home linen, Jewellery, Fashion accessories, Lingerie once a year Venue: Carroussel du Louvre City: Paris ( France ) Month: March 2010 (?)
USA MJSA EXPO NEW YORK Description: Exhibition for Major Manufacturers, Bench Jewelers, Retail Buyers and Designers Venue: Jacob K. Javits Convention Center City: New York, NY ( USA – United States of America ) Month: March 2010
USA BOSTON GIFT SHOW Description: Wholesalers & Manufacturers International Gift Show City: Boston, MA ( USA – United States of America ) Venue: Boston Convention & Exhibition Center Month: March 2010
SIBJEWELRY Description: International Exhibition of Jewelry, Precious Stones, Equipment for Treatment and Manufacturing, Clock and Watch Trade Venue: World Trade Center – Novosibirsk City: Novosibirsk ( Russia ) Month: 03.03 – 06.03 2010