Fair Trade

Scientists have analysed consumer purchasing behaviours of goods with fair trade and organic labels on their packaging. GettyImages/TommL

Fair trade label retains purchasing power despite recession, study shows

By Natasha Spencer-Joilliffe

Using a combination of social psychology and economic models, a new UK study shows fair trade product sales increased in popularity during an economic downturn while organic product sales dropped, indicating a divide between the two labels’ favourability...

Image source: pierivb

Strengthening vanilla's supply chain through its farmers

By Deniz Ataman

While the vanilla industry is seeing low prices and low demand this year, Virginia Dare’s partnerships with 1,300 growers in Madagascar are focused on fortifying communities’ livelihoods through social, environmental and economic initiatives that help...

Climate change and extreme weather conditions will threaten Fairtrade farmers' livelihoods. Pic: GettyImages

Enviornment

Fairtrade Farmers issue urgent warning on climate change to COP26

By Anthony Myers

As the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (also known as COP26) gets underway today in a rainy Glasgow, a new Fairtrade study has revealed findings that ‘paints a bleak picture’ of the future for cocoa and other commodities.

Divine Chocolate's rebrand hist the shelves in September. Pic: Divine Chcolate

Sustainable sourcing

Divine Chocolate announces major rebrand

By Anthony Myers

Divine Chocolate, the only Fairtrade chocolate company in the world co-owned by cocoa farmers, has announced a total brand re-launch in September.

What next for fair trade food and drink?

Sustainable Food & Drink Podcast

What next for fair trade after confidence crisis?

By Oliver Nieburg

Fair trade standards should become watchdogs instead of the benchmark for sustainability, argues the recently appointed head of sustainable commodities NGO Solidaridad.

© iStock/dk_photos

'The ethical urge' powers fair trade in Switzerland: Study

By David Burrows

The Swiss buy more fair trade foods than Germans, but it’s not just because there are more products available to them: they’re also “more ethically convinced” by these products, researchers have found.

'A really core part in producer countries is about supporting the domestic market. That’s something that really resonates in these markets, says Fairtrade International

Fairtrade certified goods on the up in producer countries

By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Consumers in producer countries are increasingly interested in Fairtrade certified products as a means of supporting their domestic economy, according to Fairtrade International’s annual report.

Dietmar Eiden, vice president of trade fair management at Koelnmesse, on the talking points of ISM 2014

Dispatches from ISM 2014 in Cologne

Sustainability and health needs grow at ISM, says organizer

By Oliver Nieburg

The confectionery industry is in good shape and demand for sustainable products and those catering to health needs has never been higher, according to ISM organizer Koelnmesse.

Fair Trade USA's proposed policy changes called into question

Editor’s Blog

Fair Trade USA labeling rules: Hoax or fair enough?

By Oliver Nieburg

Fair Trade USA is considering much maligned changes to its labeling policy that would no longer require brands to source ingredients from a Fair Trade source even when one is available – is its draft policy fair or misleading?

Cocoa must come from a certified source for a chocolate confectionery to be carry a Fair Trade USA logo, but the sugar does not - unlike Fairtrade International rules. Photo Credit: WCF

Fair Trade USA: Draft policy changes no hoax

By Oliver Nieburg

Fair Trade USA claims that draft changes to its labeling policy allowing brands with 20% certified ingredients to carry its logo are justified in composite products like chocolate because components like sugar are mainly sourced domestically in the US...

Are thresholds too low for products to carry the Fairtrade USA seal on the pack?

NGO questions Fair Trade USA chocolate labeling ‘hoax’

By Oliver Nieburg

Not-for-profit organization Fair World Project has criticized changes to Fair Trade USA's labeling policy, which allows chocolate to carry the seal when it contains a high percentage of other ingredients like sugar that are not fairly traded.

Fair trade supply is on the up, says the new report

Fairtrade demand spurs rapid increase in supply

By Caroline Scott-Thomas

Fairtrade International has said the number of farmers and workers benefitting from the system increased by 13% in 2011 as the food and drink industry continues to pledge its support, according to a new report.