The Benefits of Fair Trade for Producers
Fair Trade isn’t just a way to do good, it’s a way to transform your farm, factory, or fishery to access new markets while motivating your workforce.
How Does Fair Trade Benefit the Producers?
Producers are the heart and soul of the Fair Trade movement. At Fair Trade USA™, we uphold rigorous standards to drive our mission forward, fostering trading partnerships built on transparency, fairness, and economic empowerment. Beyond our robust standards, producers choose Fair Trade Certified because of our deep expertise across multiple commodities, a stepped approach to full compliance, and unmatched in-field support services. But don’t just take our word for it—hear directly from producers about the impact of Fair Trade Certification and how it helps them build stronger, more sustainable livelihoods.
Bringing Equity to the Supply Chain with Fair Trade Certification
Wholesum’s former Sustainability Manager, Olga Borquez, shares how Fair Trade Certified helps support the company’s sustainability goals by providing a framework that allows for more positive impact, and brings more equity to the supply chain.
How Does Fair Trade Affect Farmers & Producers?
Access new markets.
Our ability to demonstrate the value of investing in the people behind supply chains has resulted in more than 1,500 businesses partnering with us.
Sell at the best possible price.
Protect and motivate your workforce.
Our rigorous Fair Trade Certified standards ensure safe and healthy working conditions and protect labor rights and fair wages.
Invest in your community your way.
For every Fair Trade Certified product sold, the producer earns a premium on top of the Fair Trade price. This additional premium is then invested in self-directed community development projects that address your community’s own needs, such as water, education, housing, and health care.
Farmers, Factories, and Fisheries We Partner With
These are just a few of the Fair Trade producers that we work with. You can view a list of more partners here.
Stories from Fair Trade Producers
Jiang Feng
“I’m grateful to have been able to produce quality tea and help my community at the same time. With support from the premiums on Fair Trade sales, we’ve assisted childrens’ educations, helped with medical bills, planted trees, trained upcoming farmers, constructed roads and even streetlamps.”
Mohammed Zunaid Alam
“Since the Fair Trade program started here, the factory has improved overall and we have received different types of orders from abroad. I like that by working to make a good product, we are also able to help our families and each other. The past four years of premiums have really helped my family – one year, I was able to fix my roof; I’ve invested in savings which will double in 5 years. As my two daughters grow, they will need funds for furthering their education.”
Inza Sanogo
“Before we were certified, our parents worked in the cocoa fields and did the best they could. Now that we’re certified we have gained new infrastructures and social improvements for the village and local community, as well as trainings to continue improving our skills and techniques. It’s so important to be trained.”
R. Sumita
“When we started the [Fair Trade] program here in 2015, I was kind of surprised and in disbelief that this existed. Factories that give back to the workforce and care in this way are few and far between. With our Fair Trade Community Development Funds, workers often receive household goods like rice and oil, which are key to celebrating the Tamil New Year. Workers from other factories are amazed when they hear of the benefits of working at a Fair Trade Certified factory.”
Guerdie Belon
“Working is my pride, and being able to work in an organized way is very important. The way we collect the mangos is very good because there is no waste and the return is guaranteed and stable. In this community the hardest things are sending your children to a good school and food is not easy to find. The mango business makes it easier for the entire community because we can all prosper from it.”
Certification Overview
Get in touch with our team
Fill out a form below to learn more about what it takes to get certified.
Create your Certification Plan
We’ll work closely with your team to audit your business needs and identify a plan to achieve certification.
Execute your Program Rollout
Access a stepped approach to full compliance that makes progress achievable for your unique situation. You’ll receive comprehensive support throughout the entire process!