Why Fairtrade Matters

Fairtrade is a certification that you have likely already encountered. But you may not have considered why the designation is important and how it makes a difference. Although you may be aware that buying Fairtrade items is a good thing to do, as it has positive impacts on people as well as the environment, do you know why Fairtrade is important?

How does Fairtrade work?

Fairtrade is a certification, given by the non-profit association Fairtrade International, that ensures better prices, decent working conditions, and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers that grow the produce and make the products that we all depend on. When you buy an item that is Fairtrade, it means that the ingredients or the product itself was produced by small-scale farmer organizations or plantations that meet Fairtrade social, economic, and environmental standards.

Fairtrade standards are the requirements that the producers and businesses that buy their goods have to follow. These standards are developed by Fairtrade international in consultation with the producers, businesses, and all members of the Fairtrade business.

The key objectives of the Fairtrade standards are to:

1. Ensure that producers receive prices that cover their costs of sustainable production. The Fairtrade Minimum Price ensures that this happens.
2. Provide an additional Fairtrade Premium that can be used for local products that enhance social, economic, and environmental development. For example, this money can be used to build wells and hospitals, buy better equipment, and invest in organics. The farmers or workers are the ones who are able to decide how to use the Fairtrade Premium in order to best help their communities.
3. Enable pre-financing for producers who require it. Pre-financing means that buyers must give a financial advance on contracts if requested by the producers. This helps producers to have access to financial assets, therefore enhancing their ability to economically improve their communities.
4. Facilitate long-term trading partnerships and enable greater producer control over the trading process.
5. Set clear core and development criteria to ensure that the conditions of production and trade of all Fairtrade certified products are:

• Socially fair. This means that there is no child labour, no forced labour, and that workers have legal employment conditions, safe working conditions, and non-discriminatory employment practices.
• Economically fair. This means that farmers and workers are being paid appropriately, thanks to the Fairtrade Minimum Price and/or Fairtrade Premium.
• Environmentally responsible. This means that farmers and workers are using environmentally sound agricultural practices which include minimal use of agrochemicals, proper management of waste, maintenance of soil fertility and water resources, and no genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

Fairtrade Products

While many of us are familiar with Fairtrade coffee and chocolate, there are a plethora of other products that are Fairtrade certified as well! There are over 30 thousand Fairtrade products on sale in over 125 countries around the world! For example, cane sugar, cocoa, cereals, fruits, herbs, teas, honey, nuts, and wine can all be Fairtrade, as well as products such as cotton, flowers, and even sports balls! These items can be found in supermarkets, cafés, restaurants, and even in trains and planes. Check out this page from Fairtrade International in order to learn more about the different kinds of Fairtrade certified products!

Why buy Fairtrade?

As outlined by the Fairtrade standards, buying Fairtrade certified products ensures that the people and places where your consumer goods come from are treated with respect. Paying that little bit of extra money on these products can make a significant difference in the lives of farmers and workers around the world. Next time you go shopping, look out for the Fairtrade logo!