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19 Jun 2019

Business model of agricultural traders in Switzerland raises human rights concerns, according to NGO report urging tougher rules

In June 2019, the Swiss NGO Public Eye published a report titled "Agricultural Commodity Traders in Switzerland: Benefitting from Misery?" looking at Switzerland’s role as a global hub of agricultural commodities. According to the report, the agricultural traders' market power, activities and business model can lead to human and labour rights abuses particularly in low-income countries, where many of the commodities traded by Swiss-based companies are produced. The report also calls on Switzerland to better regulate the sector.

Business & Human Rights Resource Centre invited the 16 companies analysed by Public Eye to comment on the report.

1. Alvean Sugar did not respond

2. Archer Daniels Midland did not respond

3. Bunge response

4. Cargill did not respond

5. Chiquita response

6. COFCO International response

7. ECOM response

8. Glencore Agriculture response

9. Louis Dreyfus Company response

10. Neumann Kaffee Gruppe did not respond

11. Olam response

12. Paul Reinhart response

13. Socotab Frana response

14. Sucafina response

15. Sucocitrico Cutrale did not respond

16. Volcafe response 

Company Responses

Cargill

No Response

Chiquita View Response
Ecom Agroindustrial View Response
Glencore View Response
Louis Dreyfus View Response
Neumann Kaffee Gruppe

No Response

Paul Reinhart View Response
Socotab View Response
Volcafe (part of ED&F Man) View Response
Sucafina View Response
COFCO International View Response

Timeline