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gebana's first contacts with farmers of the region date back to 1997. Soya was first imported in 2000. After various difficulties with exporters operating at the time, gebana decided in September 2002 to found together with local and Swiss investors, the company Cataratas do Iguaçu Alimentos Organicos Ltda. ("gebana Brasil"). It was now possible to work directly together with the farmers and their organisations and to have a direct influence on matters of quality and fair trade. The successful set-up and rapid growth of gebana Brasil has opened up new prospects for both the farmers and gebana.
Today, gebana Brasil employs 15 people on fixed terms of employment. These staff are experts who have worked in the field of agricultural organic production for many years. During the harvest and peak times of production up to 20 more workers are employed on temporary contracts.
The challenges for the future are great. For a start, the region of Capanema has had large shortfalls in crops due to droughts in the last three years. Because of this many farmers were unable to pay back their loans in 2006. In cooperation with the farmers gebana Brasil had to find ways to get over this difficult situation and to create the best possible conditions for the next harvest. Another major challenge is the exchange rate. The Brazilian currency, the real, has been strongly valorized in the last few years. gebana Brasil is trying to adjust to this situation with more efficient processes and by developing new products that provide added value.
And finally, it is always a balancing act to apply the criteria of fair trade even where the (organic) market is not prepared to pay a premium or to remain loyal in the long-term. | 
