Coffee cooperatives and cross-border side-sales in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo: two sides of the same coin

In the Eastern DRC, coffee farmers combine different sales outlets available to them. Cooperative members sell cooperatives they belong as well informal markets, which include a channel of illegal cross-border smuggling. this conflict affected region, markets persist irrespective presence cooperatives. This paper seeks understand motivating factors sideselling behavior cooperative members. We study production and 339 in region use double hurdle model farm characteristics relate side-selling behavior. The omnipresence suggest that unstable political economic environment is conducive co-existence trade membership. Side-selling seems deliberate strategy by tolerated results who are more precarious situation inclined engage with markets. further underscored effect food insecurity lack credit. Hence, market safety net allows immediate payment contrast formally organized.