Who’s the fairest trade of them all?

by

Even though Americans love coffee, and approximately 83 percent of adults in the United States drink coffee, there is not much coffee grown within the country. This is mainly due to poor growing conditions, as coffee grows best in a tropical climate.

So we have to import most of our coffee. However, being the capitalists that we are, we sometimes (who are we kidding, almost always) get coffee at the cheapest possible cost. While this is healthy for our wallets, it affects the farmers and exporters of the countries where we buy the coffee.

To combat this issue, the Fairtrade Labeling Organizations International (FLO) operated to set work and price standards. With higher prices, they can insure that the farmers and producers of the coffee receive an appropriate wage for their labor. Through the agreement, the farmers don’t use child labor, pesticides, herbicides and other environmentally damaging means to cultivate their crop.

So now that you know the basics, you’re wondering why everyone doesn’t purchase Fair Trade foods exclusively.  Essentially, it comes down to the cost. People are reluctant to pay more for something that they can buy cheap. I understand. I don’t agree, but I understand.

But lurking in the shadows of the FLO is some evidence that may cause people to spurn the organization. A report done by the Institute of Economic Affairs found that top four countries that saw benefits from Fair Trade were “middle income countries”. Poorest countries aren’t represented as well as they should be.

There is also concern that there is the opportunity for corruption within Fair Trade, that the money that goes into Fair Trade doesn’t reach the farmers, and that the quality of Fair Trade coffee is inconsistent.

I find that you have to look past these flaws though. It is important to remember why Fair Trade exists in the first place. Fair Trade aims to better the lives of people that may otherwise get overlooked and that is why, when it comes to buying goods (not just coffee), I implore you to look for Fair Trade.

Related articles

Leave a comment