What does "Faitrade" means?

When I challenge consumers about their chocolate choices, they tell me that the chocolate they eat has the little frog or the green symbol, and then (in a most Angelica fashion) I ask them: yes, but do you know what does that symbol means? Hopefully here you'll find some answers.

The trademark of fairtrade is a symbol used to mark a product that has been made using specific practices. It's a global movement that aims to promote sustainable and equitable trade practices, particularly in the production of commodities: coffee, cacao, and tea.

A marked product has been produced in a way that meets certain standards for fair labor practices, environmental sustainability, and support for small-scale producers. These standards are set by a number of different fairtrade organizations, such as Fairtrade International and the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO). You can read more about their practices here.

With the symbol, consumers know that the products they are purchasing have been made in a way that is ethical and sustainable. By choosing products with the fairtrade trademark, consumers can support small-scale producers and help to promote more equitable and sustainable trade practices around the world.

I took this image from the FairTrade blog on sustainable clothing

However, the system is tricky for producers. Different organizations have different definitions on what "fair" means. The trademark is often seen as a symbol of ethical and sustainable production, but there are some flaws:

• Limited participation: Not all small-scale producers can be part of the fairtrade system. There are often strict (and EXPENSIVE) requirements for becoming certified. Producers who may be committed to ethical and sustainable practices may not be able to use the fairtrade trademark if they can't afford it.
  
  
• Complex certification process: The process of becoming certified as a fairtrade producer is complex and time-consuming, which may be a barrier for some small-scale producers. It also leads to additional costs for producers.
  
• Limited impact on larger issues: While fairtrade can have a positive impact on the lives of small-scale producers, it may not address larger issues such as systemic inequality and exploitation in global trade. Here's the biggest issue, for the organization, a "fair price" is considered a small percentage above the lowest price possible. You can find the price chart here.
  
• Misuse of the trademark: There have been instances of the fairtrade trademark being misused or exploited by companies that do not fully meet the standards of fairtrade. Oops!
  
  

Yes, trademarks can be valuable tools for promoting ethical and sustainable production, but that doesn't mean that as consumer we shouldn't research as much as possible where our products come from. Remember that Fairtrade is just one of many approaches to promoting more sustainable and equitable trade practices, and that there are many other ways to support small-scale producers and promote ethical and sustainable production. If you can, buy local :)

Thanks for reading! I look forward to reading your comments.