International trade can open doors to sustainable development, connecting small-scale producers with markets beyond their borders. In this film, we travel to Melkam Farms in Ethiopia, where organic avocados are grown with care for both the land and the people who depend on it.

Melkam Farms works closely with surrounding smallholder farmers, using agroforestry to combine fruit trees with high-value crops. In this way, economic opportunity and rural development grow side by side. From seed to table, every step is traceable. The journey continues in the Netherlands, where Eosta connects organic fruit and vegetables from producers around the world with conscious buyers. Through fair and transparent trade, they help create opportunities for farmers while bringing sustainably grown produce to European markets.

This film shows how international trade can become a connection between people, places and possibilities, creating a win-win situation for everyone involved.

Client: Centre for the Promotion of Inclusive Businesses (CBI)
Agency: Makmende Media
Director: Marit van der Heijden
Director of Photography: Gonzalo Guajardo
Producer: Anouk Kappers