chenj

Trader intermediaries (*chenj*) are a major obstacle to implementing sustainable production chains in Mongolia. Traders prevent collective action by herders, conspire to depress prices, and may keep herders in perpetual debt indenture (#herder-debt), such that herders are deprived of potential income. As traders are only interested in maximizing short-term profit, they have no motivation to invest in an ethical and sustainable commodity chain -- and indeed their interests may be threatened by initiatives to increase sustainability through collective action.