Enhancing your coffee brand with fair trade

Fair Trade Coffee Program Updates

3/30/2023 Update:

Fair Trade USA is aware of the coffee pricing changes that Fairtrade International announced today, March 30, 2023. Per our commitment to multi-stakeholder engagement and design, we are continuing an assessment of the coffee market to ensure that the needs of coffee farmers and workers are met and that industry partners are positioned to drive impact at scale.

As the leading third-party certifier of fair trade products in North America, we are conducting this assessment with care and consideration. While we were not part of the formal consultation process for today’s shift in pricing, we know that it was executed with the intention of positive impact, and we will leverage our 25-year presence in the U.S. market to ensure that our final determination reflects that same priority.

In alignment with our organizational values, we will make sure that our partners have access to timely information on any changes in our program. We will be providing guidance and updates regularly over the coming weeks, including Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ). For additional questions please reach out to Fair Trade USA account managers or local field support.

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Why Source Fair Trade Certified™ Coffee

Ready to begin your better business journey? Fair Trade Certified is your ticket! Here’s how sourcing fair trade coffee can help you.

Solidify your supply chain resiliency.

  • Actively manage potential risk with rigorous fair trade standards ensuring safe working environments and improved conditions, wages, working hours, benefits, and the elimination of forced labor and poverty
  • Improve operational efficiency and performance
    • Get support and training in field to help ensure compliance to Fair Trade Certified Standards
    • More sustainable income and better working conditions increase worker retention (less turnover and absenteeism) with more satisfied and engaged employees
  • Improves workers’ lives and communities with Fair Trade Certified processes and Community Development Funds that contribute to long-term improvements in supplier communities, increasing resiliency
    • Fair Trade Community Development Funds go directly to initiatives determined by workers for their benefit that support communities
    • The Fair Trade Committee process engages worker voice and participation
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Advance your Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals

  • Accelerate your ESG/ Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) goals
  • Help reach B-Corp Certification

Strengthen your brand

  • Mitigate potential reputational risk such as undetected labor violations in your supply chain
  • Get peace of mind with rigorous, ISEAL-compliant third-party certification and auditing by Fair Trade USA ensures credibility of your commitments and demonstrates authenticity to your consumers
  • Ensure traceability and transparency with data
  • Evolve your brand compliance and cost (CSR) to value creation and innovation (ESG)
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Build loyalty and meet your consumers’ demand

  • 65% of consumers recognize the Fair Trade Certified seal
  • 78% of consumers trust the Fair Trade Certified seal
  • 1 in 3 consumers are more likely to purchase with the Fair Trade Certified seal
  • 75% of consumers indicate a third-party certification provides trust that a product/company is taking sustainable action.

The Case for Fair Trade – Helen Russell, CEO of Equator Coffees & Teas

Helen Russell, CEO of Equator Coffees & Teas, talks about being one of the first coffee companies to sell Fair Trade Certified coffee and what that means for the entire supply chain.

Fair Trade Coffee Makes a Difference

400

Certified Organizations

Accelerate sourcing on Fair Trade Certified terms – Tap into almost 400 Fair Trade Certified coffee producer Organizations, and growing

$31M

Development Funds

In 2021, fair trade coffee partners generated $31M in Community Development Funds used to foster prosperous communities and resilient supply chains.

3.3%

Average Increase

Dollar sales at a national retailer increased 3.3% on average in the 6 months after adding the Fair Trade Certified seal to their products

Ready to embark on your Fair Trade Certified journey?

Fill out this form to take the next step!

Resources for coffee brands

Our Standards

Review our Agricultural Production Standards (APS) & Trade Standards

Standards

The cover photo of Fair Trade USA's 2022 Consumer Insights Report showing a female shopper looking at a shelf of products and comparing prices.
U.S. Consumer Insights Report

See why more than 1,500 companies have chosen fair trade certification to meet sustainability goals, increase brand trust, and reach more shoppers.

View Report