What is Fair Trade?

Fair Trade is an organized social movement and market-based approach that aims to help producers in developing countries obtain better trading conditions and promote sustainability. The movement advocates the payment of a higher price to producers as well as social and environmental standards.

Fair Trade Principles

• Fair Trade organizations seek “greater equity“ and sustainable income resource development among marginalized groups.
• Fair Trade organizations provide safe, non-exploitative, dignified working conditions for employees.
• Fair Trade organizations help develop small businesses, worker owned and democratically run associations and cooperatives that give producers a say in how their products are created and sold.
• Fair trade encourages and celebrates the diverse, rich cultural heritages of all peoples by promoting the development of products that represent this heritage.
• Fair trade organizations provide fair prices and a greater percentage return of  the retail price of products to the producer. For further information, see the International Fair Trade Association.