What is Fairtrade?

Fairtrade is a partnership between producers and consumers which ensures producers receive good working conditions and fair prices.

Fairtrade guarantees a better deal for Third world Producers.

The fairtrade mark is an independent consumer label which appears on products as a guarantee that disadvantaged producers are getting a better deal.Today, more than 5 million farmers, workers and their families across 49 developing countries, benefit from the international Fairtrade system.

Check out Fairtrade - Your one minute guide to the Fairtrade mark:

Q: What Does the Fairtrade Mark Do?

A: The Fairtrade mark is unique. It guarantees farmers in developing countries a fair price for their products which covers their costs. Because the price is stable, it allows them to plan for the future.

Q: Why Do We Need It?

A: The rules and practices of interntional trade are biased in favour of rich countries and powerful companies, often to the cost of poor producers. Buying Fairtade products changes the lives of millions of people worldwide and shows how trade can be made to work in favour of poor people and the environment.

Q: How does it work?

A: When you buy a product carrying the Fairtrade mark, you know it has been independently certified to meet standards set by the Fairtrade foundation. They check to make sure that producers are getting a better deal.

Q: Is it a brand?

A: No. You can find the Fairtrade mark on products from more than a hundred companies. The Fairtrade mark is an independent stamp of approval.

The Need for Fairtrade

Million of farmers depend on selling their crops to survive. But it's a risky business - when prices drop it can spell disaster for farmers. If they earn less than it costs to run the farm, they face real hardship - struggling to buy food or keep their children in school. Ultimately, they may lose their land and their livelihood. 

By buying Fairtrade certified products, you're giving farmers a chance to sell their products at a stable price that covers their costs and enables them to support their families and invest in the future.