Introduction

• While the Fair Trade movement has taken off most notably in the UK and US, its presence in Singapore has room for growth.

• The majority of Fair Trade products arrive in supermarkets and shopping centres Café Direct, Marks & Spencers & Cedele.

• A smaller though significant percentage arrive through the “organic backdoor”, in products that have double certification.

Why Fair Trade?

A decent living wage

Farmers & producer groups are usually paid a fraction of the eventual sale price of a product.

Protect the environment

Farmers implement integrated crop management and avoid the use of toxic agrochemicals for pest management.

Sustainable community development

Farmers’ and workers organisations receive a ‘social premium’ to invest back in their communities. This can be used to improve health services, provide medical supplies, build schools, and provide education for children.

Why Fair Trade?

Access to international markets

Fair Trade helps producers to gain a better understanding international markets, providing them with contacts and resources to present their products at international fairs.

Ensuring labour rights

Through cooperatives and trade unions, workers are better able to defend their rights. Children are not exploited.

Reduce harmful addictions

Provide farmers with economically viable alternatives to the growing of coca and opium poppies, the raw materials for cocaine and heroin. (according to TransFair USA)

Is it a fair price?

The various trademarks

Community Trade vs. Fair Trade

• The Body Shop has been running their community trade scheme since 1986, longer than the Fair Trade concept itself.

• So while its products are ‘fairly traded’ (as opposed to Fairtrade), as big name brands go, it’s done much more than any of its competitors, with its far-reaching codes of conduct and extensive reporting on its own social and environmental practices.

Rainforest Alliance vs. Fair Trade• Rainforest Alliance is used by McDonald’s in Singapore.

From the Organic Consumers Association: www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_18372.cfm

Fair Trade vs. Ethically Traded• While both terms are

widely used, they are notinterchangeable. The main difference between the two terms is that one is independently certified.

• Starbucks sells “ethically traded coffee”, and just one blend of Fairtrade coffee (Café Estima) by the bag.

Associations & Networks

• Singapore does not yet have a National Initiative to look after the promotion and development of Fair Trade in the county.

• However, the community-run Fair Trade SG network connects Fair Trade businesses and ethical consumers, and provides updates on the development of Fair Trade and helps organise FT events.

Fair Trade companies

Discussion

Fair Trade Coffee & Tea

Fair Trade products in supermarkets

Other Fair Trade products