fair trade

A way of conducting international trade so that all parties involved receive fair payments. Fair trade schemes are designed to counteract unjust international trade systems, which often exploit workers in developing countries. By ensuring that producers are paid a fair price for their skills and products, they are able to develop their businesses.

Fair trade is often involved in the sales of crafts and textiles, or food items such as tea, coffee, honey, and chocolate, the traditional products of developing countries. Fair trade also promotes sustainable development by improving market access for disadvantaged producers. The International Federation for Alternative Trade, a global network of fair trade organizations, and the European Fair Trade Association, an alliance of fair trade organizations in European countries, are two organizations which bring together people to promote worldwide fair trade.

By making consumers aware of the inequalities of trade and the implications of their buying decisions, fair trade enables people to challenge unjust trade systems and to make socially-responsible choices. Fair trade is a way of involving the public in issues important to the developing world. Fair trade products are distinguished by special labels; in the UK this is organized by the main fair trade labelling organization, the Fair Trade Foundation. The Foundation awards the ‘Fairtrade Mark’ to selected products which meet the internationally-recognized fair trade standards, and organizes the annual ‘Fairtrade Fortnight’ held in the UK every March.