Stolen Fruit

Reviews / Votes

'Peter Robbins presents a comprehensive picture of the fall in global commodity prices, its impact on global poverty and of the factors underlying this crisis. In itself this is an important contribution to knowledge. But much more important is his reminder that this crisis in prices and incomes arises from the workings of a market system with a growing asymmetry of power - global buyers grow ever larger and more powerful, whereas commodity producers have been fragmented as the international agencies have systematically undermined marketing boards, governments in poor countries and agreements between poor countries to bolster prices by limiting supply. The analysis is made more credible and vivid by the author's first-hand experience in commodity trading and by his welcome subjective and accessible style of writing.' - Professor Raphael Kaplinsky, IDS, Sussex 'This is a welcome addition to the literature on the crisis in developing country agriculture. The book takes a radical position in support of active multilateral intervention -- in the form of commodity pricing-agreements -- to secure decent livelihoods for the people who do the growing. This proposal, put forward by a former commodity trader -- a poacher turned gamekeeper -- deserves to be listened to and argued with.' - Robert Jenkins, Professor of Political Science, Birkbeck College, University of London 'At the end of the day or, more exactly, commodity chains, "globalisation" manifests itself in the poverty of Third World producers that enriches those who feed upon them. In this vein, Peter Robbins provides a compelling account of "tropical" commodities, arguing for policies that might make for significant differences.' - Ben Fine, Professor of Economics, School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) Peter Robbins effectively demolishes the myth that international markets serve poor countries well, and proposes an exciting and workable new solution to the crisis facing primary commodity producers.' - Dr Claire Melamed, Senior Policy Officer, Christian Aid