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| What is Fair Trade Coffee? | Some Facts About Fair Trade Coffee | Articles |
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Articles |
fair trade products 101
Did you know that before this concept was made a reality, farmers throughout
the world were forced to live in poverty, not being able to receive a fair price
for their products, and often leaving them unable to provide food or clothes for
their own families? That sometimes these unfair practices went so far as the misrepresentation
of the weight of products like chocolate or coffee or bananas in order to pay the
farmer a lower price that was promised?
Fortunately, a new revolution of sorts has begun in the world. With fair trade,
many of these same farmers are able to sell their harvest from their coffee farm at a price that allows
them to support their own families.
why should we buy fair trade products
Since smaller farmers produce 70% of the world’s coffee, it’s no wonder that fair
trade coffee is one of the biggest products discussed. Without fair trade, a coffee
farmer can receive a minimal $.25 per pound for his crop which doesn’t even cover
the costs associated with the harvest, let alone let him buy food and clothing for
his own family. In addition to the economic difference, Fair trade allows the farmers
to continue to grow their crops in an organic way, therefore allowing them to preserve
the ecosystem that has existed for centuries.
crop prices
Coffee is not the only product that is known to have this label attached to it,
but it is one of the largest. Farmers producing crops like bananas also operate
fair trade certified farms for the very same reasons that the coffee farmers do
it: to get a much better price for their product so that they can make enough to
provide for their families and keep their children in school and out of the fields.
Before these more humane practices, many children had to quit school to work
in the fields because their families were too poor to afford even minimal costs
associated with attending school such as shoes. Some clothing manufacturers are
becoming certified retailers and for the same reasons as the farmers: to allow those
who work in the factories to earn a decent wage so that their children can attend
school, their families can have food, clothing and shelter, and their families can
have adequate health care. These are all things most of us take for granted, but
for those in third world countries, this concept and practice can allow them to
make enough money to provide these basic human needs.
Others products that are available include crafts, gift items, flowers, fabric,
and tea. Of course, with the gift and crafts items, a buyer is still certainly
getting a bargain on these handmade items but now in the process, is helping someone
keep food on their table.
other industry changes
Fair trade has affected the auto and furniture industry as well though in a different
way. Certainly, one cannot order a fair trade auto from the Toyota Motors or any
other company any more than one can have furniture shipped from Thailand. What fair
trade has done for these industries is assist in removing the tariffs that were
involved in the export of the goods, allowing many of the foreign manufacturers
to open plants in other countries such as Toyota and Mitsubishi have done in the
United States. It has opened the door to the durable goods manufacturers to export
to other companies at a reasonable cost and to open plants in other countries where
the workers can expect to receive a decent wage.
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