Burkina Faso in West Africa has more than its fair share of problems. Regional violence has spilled over from the north and brought refugees with it. It’s seen as a risky country to invest in, making it hard create the changes it needs. 

Swiss fairtrade company Gebana thinks differently. Their mission is to “change global trade in favour of family farmers, local economies and the environment” and this means facing risks head on. They’ve worked in Bobo-Dioulasso in the south west of the country for over 20 years, creating close links with farmers, buying directly from them and giving them a share of the profits. 

Gebana has also built a factory there, where mango is dried and cashews are processed - another way of investing in the people of the country by creating jobs, rather than just shipping the raw product straight out of the country. 

Worker safety is paramount, including finding the best way to make cashew processing safe. Inside each cashew shell is a dangerous corrosive liquid which is a real hazard for poorly paid cashew workers around the world, leaving them with serious burns. But at Gebana workers are supplied with goggles and apply cashew oil to their hands before starting work. This acts as a natural antidote to the liquid and is much more effective than gloves. 

Gebana partners with Tropical Wholefoods in the UK who pack the mango, roast the cashews and create delicious Just 5 bars at their factory in Sunderland. They also work with American partners Equal Exchange to ship a huge amount of mango for sale to the US. 

Burkina Faso - Switzerland - UK - US. Fair trade organisations all working together to make global trade fairer and give it a human face. 

And what about the products themselves? Burkinabe mango is absolutely the most delicious mango we’ve ever tasted! Sweet and tangy and with a smooth texture, it knocks all other mango for six. And the creamy cashews with their delicate flavour and meltingly soft bite are really top quality.