While the Fairtrade mission to help protect farmers’ rights and welfare has become largely well-known in the UK, there is still a long way to go when it comes to investing in and promoting ethical Fairtrade coffee.
Most of us will recognise the iconic blue and green Fairtrade label, but what does it actually mean and how does it support the farmers behind the products?
What is Fairtrade Coffee?
The market price of coffee is incredibly volatile for several reasons, including a complex supply chain, demand exceeding supply and climate change-driven challenges. Historically, this has resulted in the exploitation of coffee farmers, who do not receive fair prices for their coffee beans.
Fairtrade is a global organisation that aims to ensure farmers (of coffee and other commodities like bananas, tea leaves and cocoa) are paid fairly, with a guaranteed minimum price that provides a safety net against market crashes and volatility. The organisation is all about empowering farmers with the tools and compensation they need to sustain their livelihoods and businesses.
Alongside fair wages, Fairtrade also works to facilitate a higher standard of working conditions, more sustainable practices and trade justice.
Why Buy Fairtrade Coffee?
Fairtrade helps coffee farmers in a number of ways. When you buy Fairtrade products, you contribute to a more equitable supply chain and help support a more sustainable future for the industry.
Your favourite brew may taste good, but it’ll taste even better when you know the farmers who made the journey from bean to cup possible have been paid a fair, living wage.
By making the simple switch to Fairtrade coffee, you, as a consumer, can play your part in supporting the 125 million people around the world who depend on coffee for their livelihood.
Fairtrade Minimum Price
This is a minimum price set by the organisation that helps work as a safety net against unpredictable market volatility. This can help cover costs when the market price drops.
By setting a minimum price, Fairtrade are also helping lead the way when it comes to setting a reference price and encouraging other companies to pay a legitimate living wage.
Fairtrade Premium
The Fairtrade Premium is an additional sum of money, paid on top of the price of products sold, that coffee farmers and cooperatives can use to invest in the future of the farm and the surrounding community.
These funds can be used to buy new machinery, improve overall coffee production and invest in more sustainable farming practices that help tackle challenges caused by climate change and environmental damage. The farmers can distribute this fund in a way that suits them.
Advocating For Environmental Sustainability
The Fairtrade organisation can also help smallholder farms and cooperatives when it comes to investing in more sustainable practices that help support long-term resilience.
This might include encouraging farms to use drought and disease-resistant coffee seedlings, organic methods, water and soil health management techniques and agroforestry to ensure coffee is grown in a way that is going to continue to be profitable and protects the local biodiversity.
Supporting Workers’ Rights
Fairtrade standards also include rights at work, safer working conditions, and more democratic structures within cooperatives to ensure that all coffee workers are not exploited and have a say in what they do.
This helps guard against forced and child labour, prioritising ethical labour practices as an absolute essential before something can be considered under the Fairtrade label.
Better Bargaining Power
With the support of the Fairtrade organisation, small-scale farmers and unions can negotiate better deals and reach wider markets. Fairtrade can help give them access to equal representation, having a direct say in their futures.
How Do You Know if Coffee is Fairtrade?
Fairtrade coffee is pretty easy to spot – just look for the blue and green Fairtrade mark when you shop. You can be sure that all products displaying the legitimate label are certified Fairtrade – each product with the label is certified by a third party who performs regular audits to ensure Fairtrade Standards are being met.
Ethical coffee shops will also be loud and proud about the fact that the coffee they serve is Fairtrade, so if in doubt, ask your local barista.
H2: Is Esquires Coffee Fairtrade?
Yes! We’re proud to serve 100% Fairtrade, organic coffee at all of our Esquires coffee shop franchises. You can trust that when you buy your favourite drink, you’re also doing your bit to support the farmers who have made it possible!
You can find out more about our ethos below.
