From Farm to Phone: How Global Trade and Supply Chains Work
1 of 4Geography · My World Quest — full scheme of work · pioneer
From Farm to Phone: How Global Trade and Supply Chains Work
For grown-ups
Companion summary
Have you ever wondered how a chocolate bar travels from a cocoa farm in Ghana to a shop shelf near you? Every item you own has a hidden journey linking farmers, factories, ships, and lorry drivers across multiple countries. A single smartphone contains materials from over 60 different countries, connected through one enormous global supply chain. When you finish, try tracing the journey of your school uniform — where was the cotton grown, spun, and sewn?
Where Did Your Breakfast Come From?
Think about what you ate this morning. A banana might have travelled from Ecuador. Your orange juice could contain fruit grown in Brazil. The cocoa in your hot chocolate may have been farmed in Ghana. Yet all of it arrived in your kitchen — often within days. How is that even possible? Before we dive in, try to list three different countries that might have contributed to a single product you own — like a smartphone or a chocolate bar. This challenge will make a lot more sense by the end of the lesson.
💭 Think about this
Look at a product near you — clothing, food, or a device. Can you guess which countries might have been involved in making or growing it? Write down three guesses and the reason behind each one.