Key benefits of Fairtrade

Fairtrade is a better way of shopping and doing business – uniting farmers, shoppers, businesses and governments to co-create a world that is fair to people and the planet.

Here is what makes us stand out:

1. An equal say

Fairtrade is the only global certification where farmers and workers have equal representation at all levels of decision-making. This empowers producers to advocate for their needs and shape their future.

2. Priority on Fair Pricing

We’re the only certification system to set minimum prices for all major commodities - an essential safety net for producers. Fairtrade sets minimum prices for major African commodities, such as cocoa, coffee, and tea, offering a vital safety net.

Fairtrade is also leading the way on living income and living wage, setting reference prices that companies can choose to pay, to do their part towards fair incomes.

3. Community Investment

The unique Fairtrade Premium is an extra sum of money which farmers and workers receive from companies on top of the Fairtrade Minimum Price, to invest in community or business projects of their choice.

The Fairtrade Premium enables African producers to improve their livelihoods by investing in schools, healthcare, housing, and climate resilience projects. For example, cocoa cooperatives in Côte d’Ivoire use Premium funds to support education initiatives and community health programs.

4. Strong Standards

Fairtrade Standards are continuously updated to match new realities that farmers face. Producers are trained to adapt to climate change, ensuring long-term environmental and economic stability.

Rigorous Standards support farmers and workers to protect their land, health and livelihoods. They also promote environmentally sustainable practices, and support compliance with HREDD regulation, guiding businesses to prevent and mitigate human rights and environmental risks.

5. Empowering Women

Through initiatives like the Women’s School of Leadership in Africa, Fairtrade addresses gender inequality by equipping women with the skills to lead their communities and control their financial futures. In Kenya, projects like "Growing Women in Coffee" have transformed lives by giving women independent incomes for the first time.

6. Local experts – local support

Fairtrade Africa provides tailored support to producer organizations, offering technical training, market access, and advocacy for fairer trade policies. This ensures that African producers remain competitive in the global market.

"Since we started working with Fairtrade, the economy has improved despite the costs involved in certifications and legal status. Over the years, we have been able to sell our production, and we are proud. Being part of Fairtrade is wonderful. It strengthens us." says Germán Antonio Mendoza, President of the APRAVI organization

No matter who you are, Fairtrade brings you an opportunity to positively impact people and planet – and is good for you as well.

Good for farmers and workers

Small-scale farmers and plantation workers are among the most disadvantaged by the global trade system. At Fairtrade Africa, they are at the heart of everything we do. Unique among certification schemes, farmers and workers have equal representation in how Fairtrade is run.

For farmers and workers, Fairtrade means:

Better prices and the Fairtrade Premium to invest in their businesses and communities
An equal say in how Fairtrade is run
Decent working conditions and a ban on discrimination, forced labour and child labour
Support on implementing environmentally friendly farming practices and adapting to climate change
Being able to plan more for the future

Read about Fairtrade’s impact for farmers and workers.

Good for business

Sustainable consumption and business has become the expectation rather than the exception. Fairtrade Africa helps businesses of all sizes meet their sustainability and supply chain needs. For businesses, Fairtrade means:

Recognition: Consumers know and trust Fairtrade – the most widely recognised ethical label in the world
Sourcing models that meet your needs: Fairtrade offers different approaches that enable companies to make their supply chains sustainable and transparent.
Due diligence expertise: Whether you’re a business taking the first steps on your human rights and environmental due diligence (HREDD) journey or looking for more in-depth risk assessments and action plans, Fairtrade Africa is your partner.
A certification and assurance system you can trust: Fairtrade’s certification system is rigorous, independent and aligned with best-in-class practice, involving regular on-site visits by trained auditors.

Find out how to trade or retail Fairtrade certified products.

Nearly nine in ten people who recognize the Fairtrade label trust it, compared with much lower trust in companies’ self-reported sustainability performance according to the 2023 Globescan study

Good for shoppers

The FAIRTRADE Mark is a trusted symbol for shoppers looking to make a real impact. In a world cluttered with confusing claims and greenwashing, this mark assures consumers that specific products meet high environmental, social, and economic standards.

By choosing Fairtrade certified products, you make an ethical purchase but also become part of a movement that supports fair wages, sustainable farming practices, and community development.
There is an extensive range of Fairtrade products available: Over 37,000 to be exact. Offering you numerous opportunities to choose fair.

Good for the planet

Farmers are on the frontline of climate change. This is apparent in changing weather patterns, shifting harvest seasons and countless other indicators of this devastating shift. For years, Fairtrade Africa has worked to protect the environment through measures such as:

Banning toxic pesticides and GMO seeds
Protecting biodiversity and responsible water use
Incentivising organic farming practices
Training and programmes on adapting to climate change
Incorporating climate criteria into our standards

Testimonials

"Fairtrade helps our community become more autonomous and stronger. It allows us to invest money and energy in projects that support our real needs." says Leonardo Mena Arias, worker and mechanic at UBPC Bermejal.