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FairTrade aims to help producers in developing countries and promote sustainability.
It focuses in particular on exports from developing countries to developed countries, most notably handicrafts, coffee, cocoa, sugar, tea, bananas, honey, cotton, wine, fresh fruit, chocolate and flowers.
FairTrade means an equitable and fair partnership between consumers and producers in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean. FairTrade guarantees to small farmers and marginalized producers much needed credit at fair prices; and long term relationships, in order to help them move towards economic self-sufficiency and stability. It also aims to allow them to play a wider role in international trade. These fair payments are in turn invested in health care, education, environmental stewardship, and economic independence.
FairTrade Certified Coffee is the first product being introduced with an independently monitored system to ensure that it was produced under fair labor conditions.
In June 2008, it was estimated that over 7.5 million producers and their families were already benefiting from fair trade funded infrastructure, technical assistance and community development projects. |