Fairtrade certification

In 2009, Fairtrade certified sales amounted to approximately €3.4 billion (US $4.9 billion) worldwide, a 15% increase from 2008.[2] Sales are further expected to grow significantly in the coming years: according to the 2005 Just-Food Global Market Review, Fairtrade sales should reach US$ 9 billion in 2012 and US$ 20-25 billion by 2020.[3] The Fairtrade industry does not reveal how much of this is extra profit to retailers and distributors in rich countries, how much is spent on Fairtrade’s own costs or how much reaches the farmer. As of 2011, 827 producer organizations in 58 developing countries were Fairtrade certified.[2] How it works[edit] With Fairtrade coffee, and for instance, packers in developed countries pay a fee to The Fairtrade Foundation for the right to use the brand and logo, and nearly all the fee goes on marketing. Fairtrade Standards[edit] A T-shirt made from Fairtrade certified cotton. Fairtrade pricing[edit] Fairtrade inspection and certification[edit] History[edit]

Fair Trade Certified Coffee What is fair trade certification? Much like organic certification, fair trade certification lets you know about the origin of a product. Fair trade certified products come from all over the world, but share a common history. Farmers who grow fair trade products receive a fair price, and their communities and the environment benefit as well. Fair trade certified coffee directly supports a better life for farming families in the developing world through fair prices, community development and environmental stewardship. Fair trade farmers market their own harvests through direct, long-term contracts with international buyers, learning how to manage their businesses and compete in the global marketplace. The Fair for Life label guarantees: Fair price: Family farmers receive fair prices for their harvest, and premiums specifically earmarked for community development projects; even higher premiums are given for certified organic products. Examples of community projects include:

Fair Trade: What is Fair Trade? What is Fair Trade? Fair Trade is a system of exchange that honors producers, communities, consumers, and the environment. It is a model for the global economy rooted in people-to-people connections, justice, and sustainability. A Fair Price for Products For Fair Trade Certified™ products, a base price for the commodity is set by the international Fair Trade Labeling Organization. cover the cost of production and a living wage to cover the basics of food, shelter, clothing, education, and medical care. Investment in People and Communities Many Fair Trade producer cooperatives and artisan collectives reinvest their revenues into strengthening their businesses and their communities. Environmental Sustainability Fair Trade farmers and artisans respect the natural habitat and are encouraged to engage in sustainable production methods. Direct Trade Fair Labor Conditions Workers are guaranteed freedom of association and safe working conditions. Promote Fair Trade in your community!

Fair Trade Organizations and Certifying Agencies - Fair Trade Wholesale - Handmade Expressions There are many organizations dedicated to the promotion of fair trade and its values around the world. In North America, the leading organizations are the Fair Trade Federation (FTF), TransFair USA, and the Fair Trade Resource Network, among others. Internationally, the World Fair Trade Organization (formerly known as IFAT) and FLO International are widely known. The following list has a description of the different organizations and what they specialize in. On the other hand, there are only 2 certifying agencies in this list: TransFair USA in the United States, and FLO-CERT in Europe. Certification is an interesting topic. NOTE: Fair Trade Federation and the World Fair Trade Organization are NOT certifying agencies. The certification agencies you will more than likely come across are TransFair USA and FLO-CERT GmbH. In this section, we will expose the benefits of certification and the controversies as well. Benefits of Certification Certification also helps create standards.