The OFTCC was established in 2002, based on a mandate of the Swiss State Secretariat of Economic Affairs, SECO.

It is hosted by Helvetas, Swiss Association for International Cooperation, which is supporting various organic and fairtrade projects in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

In recent years, the focus of the OFTCC has widened from cotton and its associated crops (sesame, shea, pulses) to cocoa, coffee, tropical fruits and other products.

Today, the competence centre offers its services to all stakeholders of the organic and fairtrade sector pursuing development goals.