Stronger together- smallholders farmers and Fairtrade

Fairtrade strives to support small-scale farmers and workers around the world. We work with more than 1,900 Producer Organisations, representing over two million smallholders and workers.

Farmer working
Farmers working

Farming is the most important source of income and occupation for low-income households in rural areas. In fact, the livelihood of 40 percent of the global population depends on farming.

Smallholders are small-scale farmers who manage areas varying from less than one hectare to 10 hectares which is managed at family level. It is used in part for production and to cover family needs.

This also means that they compete in a global market to sell their produce. Where the benefits of trade are unevenly distributed. At the start of global supply chains, smallholders in regions like Africa, Latin America, Asia or the Middle East are facing challenging conditions, less bargaining power and precarious livelihoods. They are also hit hardest by the consequences of climate change.

  • 1/3
    of the world’s food is produced by smallholder farmers.
Smallholder farmers

Fast fact

Despite their vital contribution, an unfair global market keeps many smallholder farmers in poverty, vulnerable to child labour, while their crops are under acute threat of climate change.

How Fairtrade works with smallholder farmers:

  • Strong cooperatives

  • Fair Pricing

  • Decision making

  • Market Access

  • Climate resilience

  • Fair working conditions

“In times of crisis, it becomes evident that Fairtrade enhances farmers’ economic resilience and supports them in continuing their profession in challenging times,” said Tatjana Mauthofer, researcher at Mainlevel Consulting and co-author of the study "Assessing the Impact of Fairtrade on Poverty Reduction and Economic Resilience through Rural Development".

Support farmers

By choosing Fairtrade, you are supporting farmers to earn better incomes and prepare for the future. Here you will find inspiring stories from across the world.

Producer stories
Indonesia farmer