Fairtrade report puts spotlight on benefits on challenges

The fifth edition of the report Monitoring the Scope and Benefits of Fairtrade (2013) puts the spotlight on benefits and challenges for 1.4 million Fairtrade farmers and workers in 70 countries around the world. Producer organizations reported a 42% increase in Fairtrade premium received and a 36% increase in sales on Fairtrade terms over 2011. The report includes more than 120 pages of data, charts, and statistics on Fairtrade farmers and workers, and also gives summaries and links to in-depth impact studies on banana producers in Colombia, farmers and workers in Malawi, flower producers in Ecuador, women in supply chains, and more.

The growth in Fairtrade premium resulted from a doubling of the required premium payment in 2011 as coffee farmers confronted a difficult market. This year’s report also includes a more detailed breakdown of how producers elected to invest these funds. In general, Fairtrade small farmers invested over 80% of their Fairtrade premium funds in supporting their producer organizations to grow stronger and providing services to members. Meanwhile hired labour organizations (plantations and estates) invested more in services for workers and their families. The total number of farmers and workers grew by 15% with roughly 61% of them in Africa and the Middle East. Particularly strong growth was seen in the number of farmers and workers in Asia and Oceania (22% growth), though the region remains the smallest in Fairtrade. The full report and previous years' reports can be found here.