Fairtrade is a trade model that aims to stabilise and improve the living conditions of smallholders and workers in developing countries. Additional funding and stronger organisational structures are helping farming organisations such as Coagricsal and their members to become confident trading partners in the global market. By opting for products with the Fairtrade label, consumers are doing something tangible to create a fairer world. The Fairtrade standards set strict requirements for trade and for the Producers.

Fairtrade empowers the Producers

Smallholders and workers in developing countries often live on or below the poverty line. They are faced with fluctuating commodity prices, ever increasing living costs and the effects of local intermediary trade which often sets out to exploit them. Many smallholders abandon their fields because they can no longer afford to feed their families and are forced to move to overcrowded cities. This results in social, health and ecological problems. However, smallholders play a vital role in the security of supply of developing countries. They are the ones who produce the majority of the food commodities needed worldwide.

Fairtrade works

Fairtrade is helping over 1.65 million small-scale producers and their families to put a stop to this downward spiral. Fairtrade means stable prices for commodities such as cocoa, coffee or rice, thereby covering the costs of sustainable production. In addition, it provides the Fairtrade premium, better organisational structures, education for producers, good working conditions and environmentally-friendly farming. Fairtrade also promotes long-term trading relationships that are as direct as possible.

What makes Fairtrade Special

The Fairtrade Mark is the only label that involves the payment of a fixed Fairtrade premium for investment in social and economic development.

The Fairtrade label symbolises the optimism of the producer - the raised arm exudes strength and determination and this movement combines the tenacity of the people in developing countries with the global aspiration of consumers to bring about positive change. The blue stands for the potential of the producers, while the green symbolises new growth.