Fair Trade Tea: A Shopper’s Guide to Ethical Sipping

Choose Fair Trade Tea That Aligns with Your Values

Tea is one of the world’s most beloved beverages, cherished for its rich history and cultural significance. In 2024, global tea production reached an impressive 6.6 million metric tons, with major tea-producing countries like China, India, Sri Lanka, and Kenya exporting their tea worldwide.

However, the tea industry faces significant challenges that impact the lives of millions of farmers and workers. Climate change, soil degradation, and declining yields threaten tea-growing regions. Additionally, tea workers often endure harsh working conditions, low wages, and limited access to healthcare and education.

Fair Trade Certification is a powerful solution that addresses these pressing issues. It ensures that tea farmers and workers receive fair compensation, work in safe conditions, and have access to essential resources like healthcare, education, and tools to support their sustainability journeys. By choosing Fair Trade Certified™ tea, you’re helping to improve lives and protect the planet.

Explore Fair Trade tea brands that make it easy to brew with purpose!

Fair Trade Tea Brands

Fair Trade Tea Brands

A Fair Trade Tea Talk with Numi

Fair Trade USA teamed up with Numi Organic Tea for an Instagram Live conversation about their Fair Trade journey and commitment to sustainability. Catch the recording and explore some of the key questions we discussed.

What does Fair Trade Certification mean for tea?

Fair Trade Certification ensures that tea farmers and workers receive fair wages, work in safe conditions, and have access to funds for community development. It also promotes environmental sustainability and ethical business practices throughout the supply chain.​ Fair Trade Certification plays a crucial role in addressing the challenges faced by tea-producing communities by ensuring fair compensation and access to essential resources. Choosing Fair Trade Certified tea helps create a more sustainable and equitable industry—benefiting both people and the planet.

How is Fair Trade tea different from regular tea?

Fair Trade tea is produced under rigorous standards that prioritize people and the planet. Unlike conventional tea, it supports better livelihoods, prohibits exploitative labor practices, and often includes investments in local education, healthcare, and infrastructure.

Can Fair Trade tea also be organic? ​

Yes! Many Fair Trade Certified teas are also certified organic.

How can I identify Fair Trade Certified teas?

Look for the Fair Trade Certified label on packaging. The label guarantees that the product meets strict Fair Trade standards.

How can I learn more about Numi’s Fair Trade journey?

Check out our Instagram Live conversation with Numi Organic Tea where we explore the impact of Fair Trade Certification, the journey of tea from farm to cup, what it means for our partner to have Fair Trade Certified products, and how your choices support farmers and their communities.

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