Disbursements

When we refer to disbursements, we are encompassing all funds issued under Export Credit payments (prefinance requests), Buyer Credit payments made to suppliers, and the payment of Stock Facility or Term Loan funds. In 2024, total disbursements amounted to £42.1m, down from £49.2m the previous year. This reduction is largely attributed to the shrinkage of our portfolio and fewer new facilities.

In regions where, direct lending faces political and economic restrictions, our buyer relationships prove crucial for reaching disadvantaged communities. This approach enabled 538 payments totalling £2.7m to organisations in India, demonstrating our ability to support fair trade despite regulatory constraints. Additional buyer-facilitated payments reached fair trade organisations across Africa, Europe, Latin America and North America.

Our strategic focus on smaller enterprises, combined with robust risk assessment and flexible disbursement mechanisms, ensures continued support for communities most in need of ethical financing, while maintaining portfolio stability.

Click here to read the full Social Accounts document.