The International Trade Centre UNCTAD/WTO, or ITC, is the focal point in the United Nations system for technical cooperation with developing countries in trade promotion. It is sponsored jointly by the World Trade Organization (WTO) and by the United Nations Conference on Trade and development (UNCTAD). ITC's mission is to support developing and transition economies, and particularly their business sector, in their efforts to realize their full potential for developing exports and improving import operations with the ultimate goal of achieving sustainable development. For further information on ITC visit www.intracen.org.
Since ITC became involved in organic trade, it has carried out a series of market surveys, including Organic food and beverages: world supply and major European markets; World markets for organic fruit and vegetables (jointly with FAO and CTA); and the latest, The United States Market for Organic Food and Beverages. It has also organized export seminars in almost 20 developing countries, mainly LDCs. It is currently involved in various country and regional export development projects, including one in Africa, which focuses mainly on spices, herbs and essential oils. ITC has also just started research on the Canadian market for organic products, which is expected to be published early 2004. It is also planned to publish an exporters guide/manual on organic spices, herbs and essential oils. Visit the ITC Web site on organic products www.intracen.org/mds.
