10 things you might not know about Fairtrade

1. Fairtrade sales in the US generated nearly $5.28 million in Fairtrade Premium for farmers and workers to invest in business or community projects. Globally, this amount topped $150 million in 2015.

2. There are now more than 1.6 million farmers and workers in 75 countries that are part of Fairtrade. More than 80% of Fairtrade producers are small-scale farmers. Read a few of their stories here.

3. Globally, 40% of all Fairtrade producer organizations sell more than half of their certifiable crop on Fairtrade terms. Fairtrade cocoa farmers in Cote D’Ivoire saw a major boost in sales with the addition of Endangered Species Chocolate, now a 100% Fairtrade chocolate company.

4. Over the course of 2015, coffee prices on the NY ‘C’ market hovered well below the Fairtrade Minimum Price for most of the year. The Fairtrade Minimum Price continues to be a vital tool for small-scale farmers coping with volatile markets.

5. The FAIRTRADE Mark is the most trusted ethical label in the United States, according to a 2015 Globescan study. Three in four US consumers have a positive perception of brands that carry the blue and green FAIRTRADE Mark.

6. Women cocoa farmers in Côte d’Ivoire created a film sharing their experiences while we launched a new gender strategy.

7. Fairtrade and our producer partners rolled our pilots in 11 countries addressing child labor using our innovative Youth-Inclusive Community-Based Monitoring and Remediation system.

8. Between 2015-16, Fairtrade America held 11 chats on Twitter covering topics like gender equality, ethical shopping and how consumers can help stop child and forced labor.  We reached over 5.4 million users. If you haven’t joined a #FairtradeChat, be sure to mark your calendar for our next one on Valentine’s Day in 2017.

9. During the Fairtrade Challenge we took part in the world’s largest coffee break. Fairtrade America partnered with the Guatemalan and Bolivian embassies to serve up specialty coffee and Fairtrade facts to more than 2,000 people.

10. Fairtrade sales in the US grew by 33% in 2015 and the number of products nearly doubled. 2016 is on track to continue delivering impact to the farmers and workers we serve.

In 2015-16 Annual Report, you can find stories of change seen through the eyes of the people who are at the heart of Fairtrade – that means change for farmers and workers, change for Fairtrade and the changes we want to see in the future through our five-year strategy. And we hope that you will want to be part of our story in the future.