What is fair trade and what does it mean?
What does fair trade mean, and why is it important? Put as simply as possible, fair trade is a set of business principles that prioritize the health, economic stability, human rights, and independence of disadvantaged producers of things all over the world.
What products are fair trade?
With diverse business events held virtually, the fair presents more than 2.9 million products covering 16 categories of products ranging from consumer goods to home appliances. Exhibitors from 32 countries and regions are slated to attend the event. Wang Shouwen, vice minister of Commerce, delivered the opening speech via video link.
Why to buy fair trade products?
These include:
- To source water sustainably and reduce water use as much as they can over time.
- To not use any GMOs
- To minimise the use of potentially hazardous chemical fertilizers and pesticides
What are the principles of fair trade?
What is Fair Trade?
- Develop Transparent and Accountable Relationships. ...
- Providing Capacity Building. ...
- Respect Cultural Identity. ...
- Payment of a Fair Price. ...
- Ensuring No Child Labor. ...
- Commitment to Non- Discrimination and Gender Equity. ...
- Ensuring Safe and Empowering Working Conditions. ...
- Promoting Fair Trade. ...
- Respect for the Environment. ...
What is fair trade in simple terms?
(also fairtrade) /ˌfer ˈtreɪd/ uk. /ˌfeə ˈtreɪd/ a way of buying and selling products that makes certain that the people who produce the goods receive a fair price: The charity says that fair trade brings a better standard of living for poor farmers in developing countries.
What is an example fair trade?
Fair-trade definition The definition of fair-trade is an agreement by a seller to pay fair wages and provide good working conditions to those producing goods in a developing country. An example of fair-trade is a coffee grower that pays their workers well and gives them a healthy work environment.
Is Fair Trade actually fair?
While fair trade products like coffee, tea, and cotton are worth investing in, the benefits are imperfect and not accessible to all producers or consumers. Some activists advocate for a 'direct trade' system, in which consumers can buy goods directly from growers while paying growers sums closer to retail prices.
What is the most popular Fairtrade product?
Learn more about the leading Fairtrade products below.Bananas. A go-to snack for people on the run, bananas are a supermarket staple. ... Cocoa. Chances are you ate some this week – the world loves cocoa, but wouldn't love the conditions of many of those who grow it. ... Coffee. ... Flowers. ... Sugar. ... Tea. ... Cotton. ... Fruit/Juices.More items...
Why is Fairtrade unfair?
It says fair trade is "unfair" because if offers only a very small number of farmers a higher, fixed priced for their goods. These higher prices come at the expense of the great majority of farmers, it says, who - unable to qualify for Fairtrade certification - are left even worse off.
What's wrong with Fairtrade?
Critics of the Fairtrade brand have argued that the system diverts profits from the poorest farmers, that the profit is received by corporate firms, and that this causes "death and destitution". Evidence suggests that little of the extra money paid by consumers actually reaches the farmers.
Why Fairtrade is not always successful?
However, the output of Fairtrade certified production is mostly mass market commodity grade coffee which doesn't deliver the impact to really change producers' lives in a significant way. There is little freedom for the individual farmer and no incentive to focus on quality or innovation.
Who suffers from Fairtrade?
Overview. Small-scale farmers and agricultural workers are among the most marginalized by the global trade system. At Fairtrade, they are at the heart of everything we do.
Is Starbucks Fairtrade?
Starbucks has been working with Fairtrade globally since 2000. Beyond purchases on Fairtrade terms, Starbucks has funded more that $14 million in farmer loans to Fairtrade cooperatives as part of an ongoing commitment to helping farmers to manage risk and strengthen their businesses.
What types of products can be Fairtrade?
There are over 6,000 Fairtrade products from coffee and tea to flowers and gold, so when you shop, look for the FAIRTRADE Mark.Bananas. ... Chocolate. ... Coffee. ... Clothes. ... Flowers. ... Gold. ... Cold Drinks and Juice. ... Tea.
What countries are in Fairtrade?
Argentina.Belize.Bolivia.Colombia.Costa Rica.Dominican Republic.Ethiopia.Ghana.More items...
How are bananas Fairtrade?
Why is Fairtrade important? Fairtrade works with banana farmers, workers employed on plantations and with the banana trade to create more value for producers and ensure people get a decent price and decent pay for the hard labour that goes into growing this crop.
What does Fair Trade actually mean?
Fair Trade is a general description that specifies that items were produced in an ethical way, with principles like fair wages, safe working environments, community development funds for workers, and environmental protection. There are several independent certifiers like FAIRTRADE, Fair Trade USA, Fair Trade Federation, or World Fair Trade Organization who ensure that brands and companies are meeting these standards.
How Can I tell if something is fair trade?
The easiest way to tell that an item is fair trade certified is if it has a fair trade seals on it. They may look like this:
What are the qualifications to become fair trade certified?
A company that wants to be certified as Fair Trade will submit an application and undergo screenings, inspections, on-site visits, and reviews of their records. Companies that meet the highest standards in social and environmental responsibility are rewarded with a fair trade seal, and re-inspected and audited regularly to ensure that they are still meeting fair trade standards.
Is the fair trade system perfect?
Detractors sometimes point to issues in the fair trade system to cast doubt on the need for ethical certifications. The fair trade system and fair trade certifiers are not perfect, but making an effort to buy fair trade products, when possible, is still a better alternative to the status quo. By making an effort to shop more ethically whenever possible or practical, you are making the world a better place!
Does an item have to be certified fair trade to be ethically made?
Nope! Lots of brands follow fair principles, but have opted not to go through the fair trade certification process.
What are the principles of fair trade?
There are some basic principles that all fair trade goods must abide by. The production of these foods—the most common being cocoa, coffee, bananas, tea, and sugar —must be free of forced labor or poor working conditions for laborers. The crops are raised through sustainable methods, and no genetically modified crops are allowed to be certified Fair Trade. And perhaps most importantly, participating in a fair trade production chain can result in huge benefits for farmers.
When is Fair Trade Day?
World Fair Trade Day is coming up on May 14. Fair Trade USA, the regulatory arm of the FLO in the U.S., is encouraging us all to have a fair trade breakfast —featuring coffee, sugar, bananas, and other certified products. It seems that increased exposure and label recognition is a high priority for fair trade certifiers. Because once people begin to understand the nuances behind the little sticker on their bag of coffee beans, they may call for an even wider selection of fair trade goods.
