What is Fair Trade?
Fair trade is a social movement whose goal is to help producers in developing countries make sustainable livelihoods. It’s a global, market-based system that aims to ensure that farmers, workers, and artisans receive fair compensation for their work and have safe, healthy working environments. This is done by ensuring that producers have access to financial services, technical support, and education.
A certification process has been set up to identify products that meet certain criteria, and the resultinghelps consumers recognize those products. Products marketed under the fair trade label often have a favorable price that is guaranteed, regardless of market fluctuations.
By shifting the focus from price to value, fair trade ensures that all parties are treated fairly, with equal respect.
It is difficult for consumers to know what kind of labour went into making the products they buy. Fair trade allows customers an opportunity to have greater visibility into these processes, which makes it easier for them to choose products that align with their values and beliefs about how workers should be treated worldwide.