People are at the heart of Fairtrade

Fairtrade is about better prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability, and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers in the developing world.

By requiring companies to pay sustainable prices, Fairtrade addresses the injustices of conventional trade, which traditionally discriminates against the poorest, weakest producers. It enables them to improve their position and have more control over their lives.

The Fairtrade minimum price ensures farmers, workers and their communities can organise into cooperatives and improve their positions in the supply chain, while Fairtrade helps give farmers access to organic training and premium markets.

Read more about how Fairtrade works in action by viewing our pages on Farmers and Workers or Fairtrade in the Pacific.
  • Fairtrade training centre sign

    Fairtrade and the UN's Sustainable Development Goals

    How does Fairtrade promote sustainability and contribute to the success of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)? 

  • A child in school instead of working

    Fairtrade and Child Labour

    More than 151 million children, some as young as five, are engaged in harmful child labour instead of getting an education or playing. That's 151 million reasons to stop the practice.

  • Two farmers next to coffee beans spread for drying in the sun stopping work to pose for a snapshot

    Fairtrade in the Pacific

    Australia and New Zealand have a historic bond with neighbouring Small Island Developing States, sharing the common interest of a peaceful and prosperous region.

  • Cashew nut worker holding produce close up

    Farmers and Workers

    Fairtrade works to support the smallholder farmers and agricultural workers to have voice and decision-making power within their organistions and communities.

  • Fairtrade farmer Fortin Bley carries cocoa pods

    Monitoring and Evaluation

    Fairtrade has a committed program of Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) to support learning and improvement in the Fairtrade system.