WHAT DOES FAIRTRADE MEAN?

Fairtrade is about better prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability, and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers in the developing world.

By requiring companies to pay sustainable prices (which must never fall lower than the market price), Fairtrade addresses the injustices of conventional trade, which traditionally discriminates against the poorest, weakest producers. It enables them to improve their position and have more control over their lives.

Fairtrade guarantees farmers and producers a fair minimum price for their products. The minimum price is set based on a consultative process with Fairtrade farmers, workers and traders, making sure that producer groups receive a price that at least covers the cost of sustainable production for that product in that region.

If the market price for the product is higher than the minimum price then producers should receive the market price. This protects farmers and producers from fluctuations in the market and protection they have a stable income and can plan for their future. Fairtrade products guarantee that, however low world market prices fall, the producer organisations will always receive enough to cover the costs of production and a sustainable livelihood.

WHAT IS THE FAIRTRADE MARK?

The FAIRTRADE mark is an independent consumer label you see on a product that meets the international Fairtrade standards. It shows that the product has been certified to offer a better deal to the farmers and workers involved.

When you buy products with the FAIRTRADE mark you support farmers and workers in their efforts to improve their lives and communities.

The mark means that all ingredients in the product have been produced by farmer organisations or plantations that meet Fairtrade social, economic, and environmental standards.

These standards include protection of workers’ rights and the environment, payment of the Fairtrade Minimum Price and an additional sum of money called Fairtrade Premium which goes into a communal fund for workers and farmers to improve their social, economic and environmental conditions, as they see fit.

Fairtrade labelling standards are designed to tackle poverty and empower small-hold producers.

100% of products with the FAIRTRADE mark are Fairtrade certified. This means that every ingredient must meet Fairtrade’s minimum social, economic and environmental requirements, plus progress requirements that encourage the improvement of farmers’ organisations and the situation of estate workers.

Fairtrade standards exist for the following products:

Food products:

Bananas, Cocoa, Coffee, Dried Fruit, Fresh Fruit & Fresh Vegetables, Honey, Juices, Nuts/Oil Seeds/Oil, Quinoa, Rice, Spices, Sugar, Tea, Wine.

Non-food products:

Beauty products, Cotton, Cut Flowers, Ornamental Plants, Sports Balls, Gold, Platinum, Silver.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR CONSUMERS?

Every time you buy a product carrying the FAIRTRADE mark, the producer organisations will have received the guaranteed minimum Fairtrade price plus an additional social premium to invest in their communities for the future. You will probably already be buying Fairtrade products without realising, and are already helping the people who grow our foods.

The UK is one of the world’s leading Fairtrade markets, with more products and more awareness of Fairtrade than anywhere else. Almost one in three bananas sold in the UK is Fairtrade.

There are over 4,500 Fairtrade certified products for sale through retail and catering outlets in the UK.

You’ll find Fairtrade products in supermarkets, independent shops, cafés, restaurants, through catering suppliers and wholesales, as well as online. Also check out shops that are part of BAFTS (British Association of Fair Trade Shops) which often have product ranges not available in mainstream stores.