Established in 1984, CBI’s initial focus was to create critical links between US government-sponsored economic development programs and commercial markets in an effort to create new companies that could succeed as self-sustainable.

CBI was born out of the vision of USAID as a way to promote democracy and economic development in third world nations. USAID enlisted National Cooperative Business Association (NCBA) to form Cooperative Business International (CBI) in 1984 to develop cooperative business relationships with developing countries throughout the world.

CBI rapidly developed a successful track record of identifying market opportunities in both developed and emerging countries.

The founding members of CBI believed the cooperative structure was an ideal way to promote democratic values, shared ownership in business, and to better the lives of those who belonged to the cooperative.  A cooperative invests in the community in which it lives and operates, thereby strengthening strategic supply chains and improving it’s surrounding community.

In 1994, CBI expanded its focus to trade and broker high-quality agricultural products for its own account, and dramatic growth ensued. In 1998, CBI further expanded to make equity investments in Indonesia through joint ventures with farmer organizations in the areas of spices and specialty coffees.