SI AnnRev2021 web - Flipbook - Page 19
SHARED INTEREST SOCIETY ANNUAL REVIEW 2021 19
OUR LENDING
We know that our producers and buyers
have been affected at different stages of the
pandemic. Businesses worldwide have faced
severe disruption in transport networks,
shortages in shipping containers, and
changing consumer patterns. This has been
further compounded by the impact of climate
change on rural communities.
Despite the challenges faced during the last
12 months, Shared Interest has continued to
support smallholder farmers and artisans to
grow their businesses sustainably, and create
employment opportunities by providing a
reliable source of finance during otherwise
uncertain times.
Here, we provide a summary of our lending
across two main regions: the Americas and
Africa, which together represent 92% of our
portfolio. The remaining 17 customers are
located in Europe and Asia.
The Americas
South America continued to receive the
highest volume of payments due to the
large number of coffee producers based
in the region, representing 34% of total
payments. However, it is important to note
that, although lending has increased, many
producers located in Peru have borrowed
less than anticipated due to an emergency
business loan programme. This was
introduced by the government as Peru was
deeply affected by the pandemic, reaching
the world’s highest death rate per capita in
June 2021. Fifty-nine per cent of our Latin
American producers are based here and,