You ARE making the world a better place – learn how

Since the pandemic, we know that the way everyone sees the world has changed. Research* tells us that two out of three Australians believe that the businesses you shop with should be doing more to solve societal problems in tough times. Each day, COVID-19 highlights the injustices of our society, the world over.

All of this explains why your choice of Fairtrade products is so important. The Fairtrade system strives to get a better deal for farmers through fairer prices, decent working conditions, gender empowerment and sustainability measures.

So, basically, the things you care about are the same things that we, at Fairtrade, are working to improve every day.

What’s the world you want?

For us, the world we want is one where the global community doesn’t leave anyone behind in the face of global issues, like COVID-19. We think you agree.

Fairtrade producer organisations in 55 countries are benefiting from the €2.1 million Fairtrade Producer Relief Fund that is helping thousands of farmers, workers and their communities cope with the immediate impact of the COVID-19 crisis. Given the unprecedented nature of the pandemic and its evolving impact, Fairtrade continues to mobilise resources to meet the growing health and economic needs of producers affected across the globe.  Fairtrade moved really quickly to allow flexibility to the use of the Fairtrade Premium funds that we pay, so producers had ready access to finance that they could use on COVID-19 mitigation like hand sanitation and personal protective gear. With an additional investment of €1,000,000 from Fairtrade, we have also established the Fairtrade Producer Resilience Fund to support producers’ longer-term economic recovery.

Fairtrade producers around the world are receiving the Fairtrade Producer Resilience Fund

As just one of many examples across the Fairtrade system, The Karmatera Fairtrade Cooperative in Indonesia used the Fairtrade Producer Relief Fund to enhance food security for coconut sugar producers. First, it delivered food relief to 360 co-op and community members in eleven villages. Each member received a package containing rice, eggs, vegetables, noodles, cooking oil and milk. The co-op then distributed vegetable seeds and polybags to 500 farmers in central Java to help strengthen local food supplies. This also reduced the need for farmers to shop at local markets, potentially reducing the exposure to the virus.

As well as mobilising against the worst effects of the pandemic, Fairtrade works with communities to create the world we all want: we provide access to markets which buy goods at decent prices, offer programs to support gender empowerment, environmental sustainability and product improvement. 

By choosing your Fairtrade products, you’re choosing to give people a fair deal because those ingredients are purchased by paying at least a Fairtrade Minimum Price, which is set to cover the sustainable cost of production, or the market price when it’s higher. 

Over and above the price, the Fairtrade Premium is also paid. The Fairtrade Premium is an extra sum of money businesses pay when they buy Fairtrade products which goes into a communal fund –  for the workers and farmers who grow your products –  to use as they see fit to improve their social, economic and environmental conditions. 

It’s what sets Fairtrade apart and why we are proud of the impact we make together.

Fairtrade Premium can be used by the community as they see fit, including on education, like this school in the Highlands of Papua New Guinea.

This fortnight is called Fairtrade Fortnight and we’re proud to celebrate with you. Together we’re choosing a world where the environment is taken care of, women are respected and everyone is treated fairly.

When you shop, choose the world you want. Choose Fairtrade products for a fairer future.

*The Conscious Consumer Era Arrives, Cavill + Co, November 2020

Sign up