What is Fairtrade and how does it work?

What is Fairtrade and how does it work?

Fair trade, defined simply, is when producers in developing countries are paid a fair price for their work, by companies in developed countries. It’s when the price we pay for products gives enough to producers for them to afford life’s essentials – like food, education and healthcare.

What is the purpose of fair trade?

Fairtrade Standards ensure fairer terms of trade between farmers and buyers, protect workers’ rights, and provide the framework for producers to build thriving farms and organizations.

What exactly is fair trade?

Fair trade is an arrangement designed to help producers in growing countries achieve sustainable and equitable trade relationships. Members of the fair trade movement add the payment of higher prices to exporters, as well as improved social and environmental standards.

What is Fairtrade and why is it important?

Fairtrade enables consumers to demand a better deal for those that produce our food. Through choosing Fairtrade consumers can demand the highest standards from business and government, ensuring people and planet are not exploited to create the products we enjoy.

Why is fair trade bad?

Critics of the Fairtrade brand have argued against the system on an ethical basis, stating that the system diverts profits from the poorest farmers, and that the profit is received by corporate firms. It has been argued that this causes “death and destitution”.

What are the disadvantages of fair trade?

Another disadvantage that is often mentioned is that getting Fair Trade certification is expensive for the individuals and small businesses that the program wants to help. The initial process of getting certified can be expensive. But the benefit to the business is enormous.

Is Fair Trade actually fair?

But is it FAIR? Fairtrade does what it says on the tin: it is about better prices for smallholder farmers and workers in developing countries. Fairtrade addresses the injustices of conventional trade, which too often leaves the poorest, weakest producers earning less than it costs them to grow their crops.

Who benefits from fair trade?

Fairtrade gives shoppers the opportunity to live and shop according to their principles and take action to support farmers and their families. Fairtrade provides consumers with an opportunity to connect with the people who grow the produce we enjoy and need.

What foods are fair trade?

Buying Fairtrade

• Bananas. One in three bananas bought in the UK is Fairtrade and it makes a huge difference to thousands of farmers, workers and their families.
• Chocolate.
• Coffee.
• Clothes.
• Flowers.
• Gold.
• Cold Drinks and Juice.
• Tea.

What chocolate is not fair trade?

NB:all research by the Ethical Company Organisation is a reflection of the activities of the Company Group. So for example, although all of Green & Black’s chocolate (within the UK) is certified as Fairtrade, the majority of Mondelēz’s chocolate (the company group behind Green and Black’s) is not Fairtrade.

Are maltesers fair trade?

Maltesers is to become Mars’ first Fairtrade brand, as part of the confectionery company’s long-term commitment to support the sustainable production of cocoa. Mars says the move will contribute $1m (£640,000) a year in Fairtrade funds to cocoa farmers to invest in their farms and local communities.

What fruits are Fairtrade?

Over 4,500 products have been licensed to carry the FAIRTRADE Mark including coffee, tea, herbal teas, chocolate, cocoa, sugar, bananas, grapes, pineapples, mangoes, avocados, apples, pears, plums, grapefruit, lemons, oranges, satsumas, clementines, mandarins, lychees, coconuts, dried fruit, juices, smoothies, biscuits …

Are pineapples fair trade?

While sustainable/ethical pineapples such as Fairtrade pineapples do exist in the UK, they are not market-wide initiatives requiring broader commitment, and are thus limited in the reach they are able to achieve.

What vegetables are Fairtrade?

From artichokes to zucchini and cassava to palm hearts, a wide variety of Fairtrade vegetables, roots, tubers and pulses are available. You can support a healthy diet and sustainable farming through one simple decision.

Who created fair trade?

The earliest traces of Fair Trade in Europe date from the late 1950s when Oxfam UK started to sell crafts made by Chinese refugees in Oxfam shops. In 1964 it created the first Fair Trade Organization.

How old is fair trade?

2019 marks 25 years since Fairtrade certified products first became available to buy in the UK. Here, we look back over the Fairtrade timeline, from when it was established in 1992 right up to the 25th anniversary of the FAIRTRADE Mark, which we celebrate in 2019.

What are the 10 principles of fair trade?

10 Principles of Fair Trade

• Create Opportunities for Economically Disadvantaged Producers.
• Transparency and Accountability.
• Fair Trading Practices.
• Payment of a Fair Price.
• Ensuring no Child Labour and Forced Labour.
• Commitment to Non-Discrimination, Gender Equality, Freedom of Association.
• Ensuring Good Working Conditions.
• Providing Capacity Building.

Did you know facts about fair trade?

25 Facts about Fairtrade

• Fairtrade was started in response to the dire struggles of Mexican coffee farmers following the collapse of world coffee prices in the late 1980s.
• Fairtrade Foundation – the UK arm of the Fairtrade movement – was established in 1992.
• The first Fairtrade certified product was Green & Black’s ‘Maya Gold’ chocolate bar.

How many bananas are fair trade?

Where to buy Fairtrade bananas. One in three bananas bought in the UK is Fairtrade and it makes a huge difference to thousands of farmers, workers and their families.

What countries support Fairtrade?

• Argentina.
• Belize.
• Bolivia.
• Colombia.
• Costa Rica.
• Dominican Republic.
• Ethiopia.
• Ghana.

How does Fairtrade help the environment?

Environmental protection is ingrained in Fairtrade. To sell Fairtrade products, farmers have to improve soil and water quality, manage pests, avoid using harmful chemicals, manage waste, reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and protect biodiversity.

Does Fairtrade help the poor?

Fairtrade is unique. We work with businesses, consumers and campaigners. Our mission is to connect disadvantaged farmers and workers with consumers, promote fairer trading conditions and empower farmers and workers to combat poverty, strengthen their position and take more control over their lives.

How does fair trade improve quality of life?

While organic certification ensures the purity of a product, fair trade certification ensures its social quality. By facilitating trading partnerships based on equity and transparency, Fairtrade contributes to sustainable development for marginalized producers, workers and their communities”.

What does Fair Trade prevent?

Fairtrade is committed to fighting the root causes of child labour and preventing abuse and exploitation of children. We have chosen to work in products and regions with known risk of child labour because this is where our work is most needed.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of fair trade?

Advantages and Drawbacks of Buying Fair Trade Products

• Certified producers must pay their workers a good wage and guarantee safe working conditions.
• Fair trade guarantees producers a stable minimum price, even when the market price drops.
• Producers also earn a community-investment premium above the minimum price.

What is an example of fair trade?

Bananas, coffee, chocolate, tea, flowers, sugar – these are all items we often take for granted and are all examples of Fairtrade products.

How does fair trade benefit developing countries?

Fair trade The result of the pattern of world trade is that the producers of primary products in developing countries lose out with low wages and poor standards of living. Fair trade promotes equality and fair conditions in the production and trade of goods.

Which brands are Fair Trade?

2019 marked 25 years since the first Fairtrade certified products hit the shelves in the UK….25 Products to Celebrate 25 Years of Fairtrade

• Cafédirect London Fields range.
• Green & Black’s cocoa powder.
• Tate & Lyle icing sugar.
• Fairtrade flowers.
• Odylique lipstick.
• Dedicated to Fairtrade fashion.

Does Starbucks use fair trade coffee?

Starbucks is one of the largest purchasers of Fairtrade-certified coffee in the world, bringing Fairtrade to coffee lovers across the globe.

Is Starbucks 100 fair trade?

Practices, our comprehensive coffee-buying program that ensures coffee quality while promoting social, economic and environmental standards. By 2015 our goal is that 100 percent of our coffee will be ethically sourced, meaning verified or certified, either through C.A.F.E. Practices, Fairtrade or another program.