Promoting Fairtrade Flavours at Sri Lanka’s Largest Culinary Expo: A South-to-South Ethical Trade Initiative
As part of its initiative to drive South-to-South trade, the Fairtrade Network of Asia and Pacific Producers (NAPP) participated in the Culinary Art Food Expo 2025—Asia’s largest and most influential culinary and hospitality event. The expo served as a powerful platform to advance Fairtrade NAPP’s regional market expansion and spotlight ethical trade practices within Sri Lanka’s growing food economy.
As part of its initiative to drive South-to-South trade, the Fairtrade Network of Asia and Pacific Producers (NAPP) participated in the Culinary Art Food Expo 2025—Asia’s largest and most influential culinary and hospitality event. The expo served as a powerful platform to advance Fairtrade NAPP’s regional market expansion and spotlight ethical trade practices within Sri Lanka’s growing food economy.
While Fairtrade has traditionally focused on North-to-South trade, Fairtrade NAPP is now leading a strategic shift toward expanding into emerging domestic and regional markets such as Sri Lanka. This year, it was represented by 18 producer members and staff from:
- All Inland Organic Farmers Association
- Pasadul Organic Farmers' Welfare Association
- Horana Plantations PLC
- Monaragala Organic Farmers Association
They were supported by Country program managers Arut Selvan and Iresha Sanjeewanie, who played a key role in driving stakeholder engagement, promoting Fairtrade values, and fostering strategic partnerships throughout the event.
From Field to Table: Showcasing the Best of Fairtrade Products
Held over three days, bringing together over 3,000 local and international chefs, global exhibitors, culinary experts, industry leaders and thousands of visitors from hospitality sector, professionals, retailers, investors, food enthusiasts including consumers— the event provided a strategic opportunity for Fairtrade NAPP to connect and deepen industry collaboration, explore business opportunities, and elevate the profile of Fairtrade in the domestic and regional market.
The Fairtrade NAPP booth exhibit highlighted the unique flavours, quality, and sustainability of the Fairtrade-certified product range from Sri Lankan producers.
· Herbs & herbal teas & Spices
- Fresh fruits
- Coconut products
- Large varieties of tea
These offerings were presented not only as high-quality culinary ingredients but as symbols of community empowerment, environmental stewardship, and fair labour practices.
Tangible Outcomes: Building a Fairer Future Through Trade
Fairtrade NAPP’s presence at the expo delivered remarkable exposure for Fairtrade-promoted supply chains—from Small Producer Organizations (SPOs) to final consumers. Direct engagement between producers, traders, and buyers fostered:
- Valuable conversations around quality standards, market trends, and consumer preferences
- Direct engagement with chefs, restaurateurs, retailers, and distributors helped expand market awareness and create new potential leads.
- A network of new business leads and potential long-term partners
- Face-to-face discussions between producers and buyers allowed for alignment on quality expectations, market trends, and consumer preferences.
K Thushara Wijesinghe; All Inland Organic Farmers Association
“We were able to secure good business opportunities this year through valuable new contacts and discussions during the event. The positive response from buyers and visitors reflected strong interest and potential for expanding Fairtrade-certified products in both local and regional markets. This highlights the need to continue strengthening Fairtrade promotion to engage more consumers and increase brand recognition. Through ongoing efforts in consumer education and enhancing market visibility, Fairtrade can expand its presence as a trusted mark of ethically produced, high-quality, and sustainable goods.”
Building Resilience Across the Value Chain
The participation at CAFE 2025 yielded:
- Stronger market linkages between producers, traders, and buyers
- Increased visibility for Fairtrade-certified products in the Sri Lankan market
- Enhanced producer capacity to meet international standards through direct learning and feedback
- Greater consumer education on the benefits of Fairtrade and ethical sourcing
These gains will ultimately contribute to improved livelihoods for small producers, more resilient trading relationships, and a more transparent, traceable supply chain from producer to plate.
Expanding Fairtrade’s Footprint in the Global South
A key challenge identified is the low public awareness of Fairtrade’s values and certification standards. This lack of visibility currently restricts local demand and limits market penetration for Fairtrade-certified producers. However, local consumer trends favouring healthy, traceable, and ethically sourced foods are creating fertile ground for Fairtrade’s growth beyond traditional export pathways. Conscious buying behaviours are on the rise, offering a strong opportunity to develop a "Source to Shelf" (StoS) market—anchored in transparency, sustainability, and community impact.
Looking Ahead: Strengthening the Movement
Fairtrade NAPP’s strategic participation in events like CAFE 2025 is a pivotal part of its South-South market development strategy. With continued investment in:
- Consumer education
- Brand visibility
- Trade partnerships
- Capacity-building for producers
Fairtrade NAPP aims to grow resilient, equitable supply chains across the Asia-Pacific region.