Gafta: The Grain and Feed Trade Association

What Gafta: The Grain and Feed Trade Association does

GAFTA (The Grain and Feed Trade Association) is an international trade association founded in 1878 and headquartered at 9 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London. Structured as a UK company limited by guarantee (Company no. 1006456), the organisation protects the interests of its members in the global grain and feed trade through five service pillars: standardised contracts, arbitration, trade assurance, trade policy, and professional training. It maintains an ecosystem of 918 approved register members across three categories — 255 Analysts, 150 Fumigators, and 513 Superintendents — alongside additional membership categories for traders, brokers, arbitrators, and individuals. Geographic reach spans the UK, Europe, Russia, Ukraine, the Americas, China, India, Australia, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia, with formal regional committees covering the Black Sea, China, South East Asia/Pacific, and Ukraine.

GAFTA's core products are anchored in standardised international commodity contracts (multiple versions effective from January 2020, February 2021, January 2022, and October 2025, plus new Rice Contracts No. 120 and No. 122 launched in July 2026) and a binding arbitration system staffed by Gafta-qualified arbitrators who must complete continuous professional development. Technical infrastructure includes domain-specific standards — the Standard for Supervision, Sampling and Check Weighing; Rules No. 123 and 124; the Standard for Fumigation 2021; the Standard for Analysis and Testing; and Register of Analysis Methods No. 130 — supplemented by the Ring Test Scheme (two rounds annually for laboratory quality assessment) and conformance audit requirements (ISO 17025 for analysts, ISO 17020 Type A for superintendents). Professional development is delivered through the Distance Learning Programme (DLP), Gafta Professional Development (GPD) modules, the Trade Foundation Course (TFC), and the Agribility online learning platform, culminating in Trade Diploma and Arbitrator Diploma examinations.

The business model is community-led and subscription-based. Revenue derives from recurring membership fees across multiple member categories, per-round Ring Test fees (£200 Grain, £290 Feed, £135 Mycotoxin plus distribution surcharges and VAT), training and certification fees, and approved-register audit and conformance fees. Go-to-market combines industry events (London Grains Week, Annual Dinner), Gaftaworld Circulars and publications, training webinars, and strategic partnerships — most notably a joint protocol with the UK Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) under GSOP1 for phytosanitary inspections of grain exports. There is no public API, no disclosed AI capability, and no external funding; ownership and governance rest with the member community under a Council and Director General.

Name

Gafta: The Grain and Feed Trade Association

Legal name

The Grain and Feed Trade Association

Website

https://gafta.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1878

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

GAFTA is a London-based international trade association, founded in 1878, that standardises contracts, provides binding arbitration, and certifies inspection professionals for the global grain and feed commodity trade, serving 918 approved register firms plus traders, brokers, and arbitrators across more than 20 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: GAFTA generates revenue through membership fees from traders, brokers, superintendents, analysts, fumigators, arbitrators, and other professionals in the grain and feed trade. Various membership categories exist including Category C (Superintendents), Category F (Analysts), and Category J (Fumigation Operators) for approved register participants.
2. Ring Test Scheme Fees: Fees charged for participation in the Gafta Ring Test Scheme for quality assessment. Fees include Commodity Fee - Grain (£200), Commodity Fee - Feed (£290), and Commodity Fee - Mycotoxin (£135), plus distribution/courier costs and phytosanitary requirements charges.
3. Professional Training and Certification: Revenue from training programs including Trade Foundation Course (TFC), Distance Learning Programme (DLP), Gafta Professional Development (GPD) modules, and professional examinations for Trade Diploma and Arbitrator Diploma certifications.
4. Approved Register Certification: Fees for maintaining approved status on Gafta registers for Analysts, Fumigators, and Superintendents. Includes audit fees and conformance certificate fees.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Gafta is an international trade association that provides standardized commodity trade contracts (Gafta Contracts), binding arbitration services for dispute resolution, and approved registers of vetted Analysts, Fumigators, and Superintendents. It also delivers professional training through the Distance Learning Programme (DLP), Gafta Professional Development (GPD), the Agribility online learning platform, and Trade/Arbitrator Diploma examinations, alongside trade policy advocacy and market intelligence circulars.

Product overview

Gafta is an international trade association offering a suite of products and services for the grain and feed trade industry. Its core offerings include standardized Gafta Contracts for international commodity trading, Arbitration Services for dispute resolution, and the Gafta Approved Registers listing vetted analysts, fumigators, and superintendents. Professional development is delivered through the Distance Learning Programme (DLP), Gafta Professional Development (GPD), and Agribility Online Learning Platform, culminating in Gafta Exams for certification. The organization also provides Trade Policy advocacy, Statistics and Market Intelligence (including EU trade data and crop forecasts), the Sustainability Pledge Programme, and regular Gaftaworld Circulars for member news. All member services are accessed through a secure SSO login system.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Gafta Contracts Standardized international trade contracts for grain and feed commodities, with multiple versions effective from different dates (including October 2025, January 2022, February 2021, September 2020, January 2020), used by members for trading agreements.
• Arbitration Services Binding dispute resolution through Gafta-qualified arbitrators, including arbitrator directory, qualification process, and guidelines for appointment. Awards are enforceable through legal systems globally.
• Gafta Approved Registers Public searchable directories listing vetted Analysts (255 firms), Fumigators (150 firms), Superintendents (513 firms), and Traders who meet Gafta standards for commodity inspection, testing, and fumigation.
• Gafta Ring Test Scheme Quality assessment programme for analyst laboratories, requiring two rounds of testing annually, with results submitted via the Sciantec Portal. Fees: Grain £200, Feed £290, Mycotoxin £135 per round.
• Distance Learning Programme (DLP) Modular training covering contracts, payment and risk, international carriage of goods, contractual obligations, exceptional circumstances, and problem resolution.
• Gafta Professional Development (GPD) Professional certification programme including Trade Foundation Course (TFC), Commodity Contracts (CC), Commodity Shipping (CS), and Commodity Dispute Resolution modules.
• Agribility Online Learning Platform Online learning platform for trade education, exam delivery for Arbitrator Diploma, and Stand Alone Learning courses.
• Gafta Exams Examination services including Trade Diploma, Arbitrator Diploma, and Appeal Board exams for professional qualification.
• Trade Policy & Advocacy Policy advocacy covering global food and feed security, sustainability, digitalisation, gene editing, GMO approvals, and market access issues.
• Statistics & Market Intelligence Trade statistics including EU imports and exports data, country-specific statistics, and exceptional crop forecasts from Coceral.
• Sustainability Pledge Programme Sustainability initiative encouraging members to commit to sustainable practices, with directory, information hub, and UN SDGs alignment.
• New Gafta Rice Contracts No. 120 and No. 122 New standardized rice trade contracts launched July 2026, providing members with updated contract terms for rice commodity trading.
• Membership Directory Members-only directory listing all current Gafta members providing support framework for international trade.

Quantifiable outcome

• Gafta arbitration training valid for 5 years from completion date (GPD courses and DLP Modules)

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• EuropabiominorOthersListed as a useful link on GAFTA's trade policy resources page. Europabio is the European Association for Bioindustry, relevant to GAFTA's advocacy on biotechnology and GMO issues.
• FEFACminorOthersListed as a useful link on GAFTA's trade policy resources page. FEFAC (European Feed Manufacturers' Federation) is relevant to GAFTA's animal feed industry activities.
• International Grains CouncilminorOthersListed as a useful link on GAFTA's trade policy resources page. IGC provides market data and analysis relevant to grain trade activities.
• World Trade OrganisationminorOthersListed as a useful link on GAFTA's trade policy resources page. WTO membership provides relevant resources on international trade rules and regulations.
• CoceralminorOthersGAFTA circulates EU crop forecasts published by Coceral (the EU grain and oilseed trade association) as part of its market intelligence services to members.
• Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint protocol with APHA (UK government agency) for phytosanitary inspections of grain exports. Under GSOP1 (General Standard Operating Procedure), GAFTA-approved superintendents can be trained and approved by APHA to conduct inspections and complete phytosanitary certificate applications for exports to countries requiring certification.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• International Grain Products Association (IGPA): Sister international trade association providing standardized contracts specifically for processed grain products. Directly comparable to Gafta as a contract-issuing grain trade body, with IGPA Contracts hosted alongside Gafta contracts on the same platform.
• International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC): Intergovernmental body for cotton that publishes statistics, provides market information, and coordinates policy. Comparable to Gafta as an international agricultural commodity organization with similar statistics, standards, and policy advocacy remit.
• Coceral: European cereal, rice, and oilseed trade association providing crop forecasts and policy advocacy. Directly comparable to Gafta as a regional grain trade association serving overlapping members, and explicitly listed as a partner that shares market intelligence.
• FEFAC (European Feed Manufacturers' Federation): European federation representing the animal feed manufacturing industry, addressing compound feed and protein supply. Comparable to Gafta's feed-related standards and trade policy work, and explicitly listed as a partner on Gafta's trade policy resources page.
• International Grains Council (IGC): Intergovernmental body for the grains trade providing market data, statistics, and policy coordination. Directly comparable to Gafta as a grain-trade focused international organization serving overlapping members and explicitly listed as a partner.
• Federation of Cocoa Commerce (FCC): International trade association for the cocoa trade providing standardized contracts and arbitration services. Directly comparable business model to Gafta (standardized commodity contracts, arbitration, dispute resolution in international trade).
• European Cocoa Association: Brussels-based trade association representing the European cocoa sector. Comparable as a regional commodity trade association providing member services and policy advocacy analogous to Gafta for grains and feed.

Regional players

• North American Export Grain Association (NAEGA): Trade association serving North American grain exporters with policy advocacy and trade services. Comparable to Gafta in mission and member profile but serving a different geography (primarily U.S. and Canada vs. Gafta's UK-led global scope).
• Grain Trade Australia: Australian grain industry trade body providing standardized contracts, dispute resolution, and trade rules for Australian grain commerce. Comparable to Gafta in offering standardized contracts and arbitration but focused on the Australian domestic market.
• CIARA-CEC (Cámara de Industriales de Cereales y Afines - Cámara de Exportadores de Cereales): Argentine chamber of cereal industry and exporters representing grain export interests. Comparable to Gafta as a grain trade association but serving the Argentine/Latin American export corridor specifically.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Gaftaworld
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@Gaftaworld
• Facebookfacebook.com/Gaftaworld
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/1028987
• Instagraminstagram.com/gaftaworld

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Gafta: The Grain and Feed Trade Association