COVID-19 HUB

Roberto - banana farmer from peru - covid-19

Below you will find the latest developments across Fairtrade when it comes to COVID-19.

Since the outbreak we been actively keeping track of developments with our national organizations, producer networks, and business partners. Despite many unknowns, we are working on contingency responses to ensure the ongoing safety of our staff and the millions of farmers and producers that continue to work through the pandemic.

Fairtrade relief and resilience funds

In most parts of the world, COVID-19 has now been part of our day-to-day for the past couple of years. It can be easy to forget, but this is also the case for millions of farmers and workers. In spite of the ongoing pandemic they keep working in fields and factories to produce the food and drink we love, trying to stay safe while also struggling to cover their spiralling production costs. They have also shown incredible innovation and resilience in doing so.

At Fairtrade we felt compelled to act and better support our farmers and workers. In 2020, via several partners, we secured more than €15M in COVID-19 relief and recovery funding to enable Fairtrade producer organizations to keep their communities safe and start working towards long term economic recovery.

This has helped to provide masks and protective equipment for farmers and plantation workers (who can’t work from home to produce the food on our store shelves), provided healthcare in places where the already fragile healthcare systems struggled to cope, and much more. Here are some examples of the impact to date.

Below are some of the results so far:

COVID–19 flexible Fairtrade Premium use

Small-scale producer organizations and contract production set-ups could make rapid decisions on Premium use without convening respectively a General Assembly or the Promoting Executive Body and Promoting Body, to respond to exceptional circumstances of the pandemic due to COVID–19. This remained possible until the negative effects of the pandemic were alleviated and the organizations can continue with the implementation of their own Fairtrade Development Plans.

Hired labour organizations could also make rapid exceptional decisions on Premium use, without convening a General Assembly of workers if the Premium Committee and the company were in agreement.In addition, until 31 December 2020, they could decide to distribute up to 100% of the Premium in cash or in-kind benefits.

In all cases, the changes needed to be documented and ratified by the General Assembly at the next possible meeting.

More information available here

Producer guidance

We are committed to keeping producers, workers, traders, families and communities as safe as possible during the coronavirus pandemic.

In consultation with the Fairtrade Producer Networks and others, we have produced guidelines which draw on advice from, among others, the World Health Organization (WHO), International Labour Organization (ILO), the International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco and Allied Workers’ Associations (IUF) and UNICEF.

These guidelines only cover the basics for the self-employed, employers and workers. We do not suggest the guidelines are either exhaustive or exclusive, and we will update them as further recommendations are provided by the bodies named above.

Download the Guidance Document

Farmers documentary series

201123 Fairtrade Kenya Part 1 Fairpicture 26

Throughout 2021, teams of local film makers across Indonesia, Peru and Kenya have followed three Fairtrade farmers for an in-depth and unscripted documentary series: Farmers. The episodes follow the lives of Ponisih, Roberto and Caroline.

The films are intimate portraits about what it means to be a farmer in the midst of a global crisis. In other words, who are the people behind the data sets we hear about in the news when new cases are reported. Often forgotten, and yet crucial to our day-to-day, farmers had to carry on working during the pandemic, adjusting to a new reality while still facing other underlying challenges.

Get watching

African producers in the COVID era: a photobook

A photobook from Fairtrade Africa ‘Faces and Voices of African Fairtrade Producers in the COVID-19 Era: RECOVER Africa Project’ showcases many inspiring stories from this region. Highlighting how Fairtrade producers have used the funds to navigate the ongoing pandemic in ways that are innovative and benefit communities as a whole.

Take a look

Fairtrade Africa also created a cartoon series for COVID-19 measures -- you can watch them in their YouTube channel!

Research report on COVID-19 and producer resilience

As part of Fairtrade's COVID-19 response, we conducted research to learn ‘How does Fairtrade certification contribute to producers’ resilience’? Researchers from Scio Network and Athena Infonomics analysed evidence from literature reviews, global surveys, and case studies (bananas from Peru, coffee from Indonesia, and flowers from Kenya). The study uses the FAO's Sustainability Assessment of Food and Agriculture systems (SAFA) framework which includes four components: good governance, social wellbeing, economic resilience, and environmental integrity.

Find out more here:

Other developments

News

What can we learn from the pandemic about farmers’ and workers’ resilience?
18 October 2022 | Fairtrade International | Read more

New Study Confirms Greater Resilience of Fairtrade Farmers in Times of Crisis
18 October 2022 | Fairtrade International | Read more

COVID-19 IMPACT: Bridging the last gap
7 July 2022 | Fairtrade International | Read more

Supporting Fairtrade Farmers and Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic- 2021 Survey results
1 March 2022 | Fairtrade International | Read more

A resilience journey: COVID-19 funds continue to support fairtrade producers
3 December 2021 | Fairtrade International | Read more

Behind the scenes with Angela and Omar: the local film makers of Farmers documentary series in Peru
3 December 2021 | Fairtrade International | Read more

Behind the camera - Meet Rizky and Nyimas, the local team working on Farmers, the documentary, in Indonesia
13 October 2021 | Fairtrade International | Read more

The journey continues - Part two of 'Farmers' documentary series now available
28 September 2021 | Fairtrade International | Read more

Five ways Fairtrade supports producers and workers to tackle COVID-19
20 September 2021 | Fairtrade International | Read more

Half of global consumers use their buying power to make a positive difference during the pandemic
7 July 2021 | Fairtrade International | Read more

From food distribution to solar panels: rethinking the day-to-day to navigate an ongoing crisis
5 May 2021 | Fairtrade International | Read more

"Our workers can now work safely" One year later, Fairtrade Covid fund continues to deliver significant impact for farmers
5 May 2021| Fairtrade International | Read more

#FairtradeTogether – 2020 is over, but Fairtrade’s support to producers and workers during the ongoing pandemic is not
29 March 2021| Fairtrade International | Read more

Watch now: Fairtrade Banana Talks – Resilience and Fairness in times of COVID-19
29 January 2021 | Fairtrade International | Read more

Highlighting the need for climate justice in a year dominated by COVID-19
8 January 2021 | Fairtrade International | Read more

An uncertain future for Latin America Cocoa farmers
17 Dec 2020 | Fairtrade International | Read more

Cooperative spirit helps West African cocoa farmers through the Covid-19 crisis
15 Dec 2020 | Fairtrade International | Read more

Fairtrade partnerships secure more than €15 Million in COVID-19 Relief and Recovery Funding for producers
2 Nov 2020 | Fairtrade International | Read more

Fairtrade Extends Flexible Premium Use to Help Battle COVID-19
30 September 2020 | Fairtrade International | Read more

Fairtrade relief fund assists producers hit hard by the Covid pandemic
29 Sept 2020 | Fairtrade International | Read more

Fair Trade Twin Towns Puducherry and Auroville bake Gratitude Cakes for Frontline Workers
27 Sept 2020 | Fairtrade International | Read more

Producers and agricultural workers as the unsung heroes of COVID-19: A dialogue with the International Trade Centre
30 July 2020 | Fairtrade International | Read more

Fairtrade is a lifeline for Kenyan flower workers
14 July 2020 | Fairtrade International | Read more

Resilience and re-invention: how a coffee cooperative is adapting during COVID-19
1 July 2020 | Fairtrade International |Read more

Covid-19 risks driving more children into child labour
12 June 2020 | Fairtrade International | Read more

Sewing new solutions during Coronavirus
25 May 2020 | Fairtrade International | Read more

Bringing relief and resilience to producers: 3.1M EUR in funding announced by Fairtrade International
09 May 2020 | Fairtrade International | Read more

Fairtrade producers supporting their communities during COVID-19
07 May 2020 | Fairtrade International | Read more

Safety first: How farmers and workers are rising to the challenge of COVID-19
06 May 2020 | Fairtrade International | Read more

In times of COVID: Fairtrade heroes adjusting to a new normal
04 May 2020 | Fairtrade International | Read more

Fairtrade Together: COVID-19 Briefing on 27 April 2020
27 April 2020 | Fairtrade International | Read more

COVID-19 reminds us it's time for a new fashion revolution
23 April 2020 | Fairtrade International | Read more

CEOS from 25 countries call for G20 support to help developing countries fight COVID-19
22 April 2020 | Fairtrade International | Read more

Cocoa in the time of COVID-19 - Staying united while keeping apart
20 April 2020 | Fairtrade International | Read more

Fairtrade producers and farmers speak about the challenges - Living through COVID- 19
20 April 2020 | Fairtrade International | Read more

Tough times for East African flower growers
17 April 2020 | Fairtrade International | Read more

#FairtradeTogether: COVID-19 Updates
16 April 2020 | Fairtrade International | Read more

National Banana Day: Fairtrade heroes in Colombia put #FairtradeTogether into actional against the coronavirus
15 April 2020 | Fairtrade International | Read more

Coffee cooperatives in Peru use Fairtrade Premium to provide food to their communities
14 April 2020 | Fairtrade International | Read more

Fairtrade living income work is more relevant than ever
9 April 2020 | Fairtrade International | Read more

Fairtrade Together: COVID-19 Briefing
6 April 2020 | Fairtrade International | Read more

New guidance from Fairtrade boosts action to protect farmers and workers during COVID-19 pandemic
1 April 2020 | Fairtrade International | Read More

Fairtrade Together: COVID-19 Briefing
27 March 2020 | Fairtrade International | Read More

Connected Community: Supporting each other through the COVID-19 crisis
17 March 2020 | Fairtrade International | Read More

Coronavirus-related changes in operations
16 March 2020 | FLOCERT | Read More

Impact on Producers (Latin America and Caribbean)

For COVID-19 updates on Fairtrade Latin America and Caribbean visit this page


Update on the effects of COVID-19 in Latin America and the Carribbean
26 June 2020 | CLAC | Read more

Health in the countryside Project seeks to protect farmers against Covid-19 in Brazil
26 June 2020 | CLAC | Read more

Organisation launches awareness campaign against Covid-19 in Dominican Republic
19 June 2020 | CLAC | Read more

Paraguayan Organization proposes long-term solutions to the situation by COVID-19
22 May 2020 | CLAC | Read more

Update on the effects of COVID-19 in Latin America and the Carribbean
7 May 2020 | CLAC | Read more

Update on the effects of COVID-19 in Latin America and the Carribbean
1 May 2020 | CLAC | Read more

Fairtrade cooperatives in El Salvadore help their associates and communities during the emergency
25 April 2020 | CLAC | Read more

Cooperatives in Chile join efforts for communal sanitation
25 April 2020 | CLAC | Read more

Update on the effects of COVID-19 in Latin America and the Caribbean
23 April 2020 | CLAC | Read more

Brazilian cooperative CASEFUL joins solidarity efforts during COVID-19 emergency
17 April 2020 | CLAC | Read more

Cooperative uses prevention protocol in cocoa collection centers in Peru
10 April 2020 | CLAC | Read more

Fairtrade organizations in Peru support their communities during COVID-19 crisis
3 April 2020 | CLAC | Read more

Statement on COVID-19 impact in Latin America and the Caribbean
1 April 2020 | CLAC | Read More

Impact on Producers (Asia Pacific)

For COVID-19 updates on Fairtrade Asia Pacific visit this page


Fairtrade Sports ball Hired Labour Plantations in Pakistan are back into production with strict COVID-19 protocols to ensure the sports ball for your beloved game is made and delivered with utmost safety and care
15 June 2020 | NAPP | Read more

Fairtrade Premium Support to ‘Trade for life Project’: Communities Supporting each other to combat Food Insecurity during COVID -19 in Thailand
10 June 2020 | NAPP | Read more

Physical support services extended by NAPP Field operations team to Fairtrade producers in Sri Lanka during the COVID-19 pandemic
18 May 2020 | NAPP | Read more

COVID-19 Fairtrade Premium Relief Measures by Small Producer Organizations in Sri Lanka
15 May 2020 | NAPP | Read more

Fairtrade Premium Initiatives by Sugar Producers in Karnataka to support and strengthen their Farmers and Communities during COVID19
8 May 2020 | NAPP | Read more

Fairtrade Premium Initiatives by sugar producers in Karnataka to support and strengthen their farmers and communities during COVID19
28 April 2020 | NAPP | Read more

Poster making contest for Children and Youth on "Fairtrade communities in in times of pandemic - "How we foster hope and care for others"
28 April 2020 | NAPP | Read more

COVID-19 awareness initiatives and relief measures in Pakistan
15 April 2020 | NAPP | Read more

Fairtrade in solidarity with our cotton farmers and workers -Fashion Revolution
21 April 2020 | NAPP | Read more

Fairtrade Tea Producers in India resumes their operation with COVID-19 protocols
15 April 2020 | NAPP | Read more

Message from NAPP Chief Operations Officer: Importance of wearing a mask during COVID-19
14 April 2020 | NAPP | Read more

Fairtrade tea plantations speak on the COVID-19 mitigation measures adopted
14 April 2020 | NAPP | Read more

Fairtrade Premium projects to build the resilience of medical institutions and communities in Thailand
8 April 2020 | NAPP | Read more

Message from Fairtrade sugar producers in the Philippines COVID-19
6 April 2020 | NAPP | Read more

Coping with COVID-19 - message from NAPP's Chief Operations Officer
6 April 2020 | NAPP | Read More

COVID-19 risk mitigation measures by Fairtrade Premium Committees across Pakistan, Philippines, and Vietnam
2 April 2020 | NAPP | Read More

Fairtrade tea plantation step forward to safeguard the health and safety of its workforce during the crisis – COVID-19
31 March 2020 | NAPP | Read More

Strengthening the resilience of Fairtrade producer organizations during COVID-19 – immediate short term and long measures by Manarcadu Social Service Society
30 March 2020 | NAPP | Read More

Fairtrade producer organizations take the lead on conducting ‘Awareness Programs on Coronavirus and its Preventive Measures’ for its farmers and workers
19 March 2020 | NAPP | Read More

Impact on Producers (Africa)