In Econ 1 we call it monopsony, and monopsonists are bad people… that’s why they have to talk about “empowering women”… so they can feel good about buying BMWs and other luxury vehicles with the money they got using their market power….

Antoine Turpin of IOI Loders Croklaan – a worldwide supplier of edible oils — says “shea is an important source of revenue to millions of women and their families across Africa. Empowering these women economically is crucial to the industry’s sustainability.”That sustainability is in his interest too. His firm purchases an estimated 25 percent of all the shea nuts picked by women in West Africa for use in confectioneries.

The NY Times reporter seems not to have even looked up IOI on Wikipedia.  via After Fair Trade Coffee, Fair Trade Shea – NYTimes.com.