Producers are at the heart of Fairtrade – the reason Fairtrade exists. If you are a farmer or worker, learn more about what Fairtrade can do for your organization.
Around the world, nearly 1600 producer organizations, representing more than 1.7 million farmers and workers, are active in Fairtrade.
Here are a few of the reasons why, and how you can join them!
Benefits of Fairtrade
Stable prices: Most products have a Fairtrade Minimum Price aimed at providing producers with a safety net against falling market prices and allowing long-term planning. Learn more about the Fairtrade Minimum Price here.
Additional Premium: The Fairtrade Premium is a tool for producers to improve the quality of their lives, communities, and businesses. It is an additional amount of money paid on top of the agreed Fairtrade price, which producers decide democratically how to use. The Fairtrade Premium is often used for investments in education, healthcare, and farm improvements that increase income. Though the size and sales volume of Fairtrade producer organizations can vary considerably, on average each Fairtrade producer organization received €111,000 in Fairtrade Premium during 2017.
Partnership focused on your needs as a producer: Fairtrade certified farmers and workers co-own and manage Fairtrade International – through participation in the board of directors, key committees, and consultation processes, producers can influence Fairtrade’s strategy, standards, prices and premiums.
Empowerment of farmers and workers: Fairtrade aims to transform trade, and empowering producers is at the core of our model. In order to be Fairtrade certified, small-scale farmer groups must have a democratic structure and transparent administration. In plantations and hired labour settings, workers form a committee that decides on the use of the Fairtrade Premium. Fairtrade offers support to develop capacity in these areas, strengthening producer organizations in the process.
Market opportunities: Fairtrade is the most recognized ethical label in the world. Businesses and consumers are increasingly seeking sustainably sourced products, and Fairtrade’s brand and global network of marketing organizations can extend your reach.
Another advantage is the power of community: Your organization can join one of the three regional Fairtrade Producer Networks, which provide support, training and representation for producers in the global Fairtrade system.
How to become a Fairtrade producer
Here are the initial steps.
Determine if you are working in Fairtrade’s Geographical Scope. Countries and territories shaded orange, green or blue in the map above are within our scope.
Determine if there are Fairtrade Standards for the product(s) you produce. You can consult the Standards here.
If both of these criteria are met, contact FLOCERT – the independent certifier for Fairtrade – to commence the process of certification. FLOCERT’s website provides step-by-step guidance on the process, and their multilingual team can answer your questions. Visit www.flocert.net/solutions/fairtrade-resources/
Producer support services
The three Fairtrade Producer Networks are regional associations that Fairtrade certified producer organizations may join. They represent small-scale producers, workers, and other producer stakeholders.
Here are some recent examples of the services the Producer Networks offer to organizations like yours. Visit their websites for more information.
CLAC (representing farmers and workers in Latin America and the Caribbean): supported 652 producer organizations in organizational strengthening and standards compliance, such as market analysis and risk management training for 139 coffee producer organizations in Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Colombia, Peru and Brazil.
Fairtrade Africa (representing farmers and workers in Africa and the Middle East): trainings and visits to 535 producer organizations focused on climate change resilience, gender, and sustainable livelihoods.
NAPP (representing farmers and workers in Asia and Pacific): 679 producer organizations received training and visits, including newly certified organizations in tea, cocoa, seed cotton, nuts, grapes and sports balls.
At Fairtrade International we have been made aware of fake websites and email communications pretending to be issued by us or in association with our organisation. We urge you to be wary of unsolicited emails, phone calls and texts that offer you very advantageous investment returns, or ask for personal or financial information. For more information visit this page.
