What is Fairtrade?
The reality for millions of people in poor countries is that they can't afford to feed their families or send their children to school because of unfair international trading rules. For example, the coffee market is controlled by a few large producers who decide on the price they will pay.
In the late 1980's the price of coffee hit a particular low and this led to much suffering for coffee farmers and their families. A Dutch priest working with smallholder coffee farmers in Mexico conceived the idea of a Fair Trade label. Products bought, traded and sold respecting Fair Trade conditions would qualify for a label that would make them stand out among ordinary products on store shelves, and would allow any company to get involved in Fair Trade. In 1988, the 'Max Havelaar' label was established in The Netherlands. The concept caught on: within a year, coffee with the label had a market share of almost three percent.
After coffee, the food range was expanded, and it now includes hundreds of different products.
In the late 1980's the price of coffee hit a particular low and this led to much suffering for coffee farmers and their families. A Dutch priest working with smallholder coffee farmers in Mexico conceived the idea of a Fair Trade label. Products bought, traded and sold respecting Fair Trade conditions would qualify for a label that would make them stand out among ordinary products on store shelves, and would allow any company to get involved in Fair Trade. In 1988, the 'Max Havelaar' label was established in The Netherlands. The concept caught on: within a year, coffee with the label had a market share of almost three percent.
After coffee, the food range was expanded, and it now includes hundreds of different products.
Labels have now been launched in 16 other countries and the products have gained between 1% and 14% of the market share.
In the UK the first FAIRTRADE Mark products appeared in 1994. Sales topped £140m in 2004, which was an increase of 51% from 2003.
In the UK the first FAIRTRADE Mark products appeared in 1994. Sales topped £140m in 2004, which was an increase of 51% from 2003.
So, it's a great success story, but much more needs to be done as Fairtrade still represents only a tiny fraction of the world's groceries market.
Making the right decision to buy fair trade products will make a huge difference to poor farmers on the other side of the world.
Making the right decision to buy fair trade products will make a huge difference to poor farmers on the other side of the world.
One of the important things to remember about Fairtrade is that it is not charity.
'We don't need charity, we are not beggars. If we are paid a reasonable price for our coffee, then we can do without charity.' - Isaias Martinez, UCIRI, Mexico.
Fairtrade is about justice and the dignity of fair exchange.
The pictures above are taken from the Fairtrade Foundation website.
'We don't need charity, we are not beggars. If we are paid a reasonable price for our coffee, then we can do without charity.' - Isaias Martinez, UCIRI, Mexico.
Fairtrade is about justice and the dignity of fair exchange.
The pictures above are taken from the Fairtrade Foundation website.