Trees not only have the ability to bring majestic beauty to a landscape, but they also have the ability to support individuals' livelihoods through the small seeds they provide. Traditionally trees were felled for timber, but the shea tree, through seed development, has the potential to develop into an important export item. Shea butter comes from the seeds of the shea tree which can be used in the production of food products, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. The hydrating and healing properties of shea butter have been discovered by Western cosmetic industries in recent years, but shea butter has been used in African society for centuries. Shea butter is collected by women and small children and requires tedious work before the product can be sold to the street trader and eventually to a larger supplier. There is some controversy related to the harvesting of this widely used and coveted cosmetic product as women and children have to work hard but are not paid fairly for their product. The production and sale of shea butter covers a number of topics, including but not limited to global poverty, ways to acquire hard currency, women and development, and finally globalization and the environment. The shea tree is native to the semi-arid Sahel region. West Africa which extends for over five thousand kilometres. The processing of Shea Butter from the walnut is traditionally carried out by the women of the community. For centuries these women have been collecting, marketing and transforming Shea nuts into a multi-purpose product. When nuts are ground they produce a vegetable fat known as shea butter. After processing, the butter is stored in cold storage until shipped to Sekaf International distribution centers. T...... half of paper ......le for sale on the internet. In the case of shea butter production, division of labor is a crucial factor. The shea tree is native to West Africa, so I and other people who use the product depend on African workers to produce it. If a country were completely self-sufficient or did not trade with other countries, it could be deprived of products that cannot be grown there. Therefore, specialization is a factor that keeps the trade cycle moving, a country creates a product and is able to trade it with others. Works CitedLLC, Sekaf Intl. Origin of Shea Butter. 2002. April 1, 2011 .Olukoya, Sam. "Ideal Shea Butter Manufacturers for Women." (2008). United Nations Millennium Development Goals. 2010. March 29, 2011. West Africa Hub Annual Report. 2008. April 4 2011 .