U.N. Report Says Sustainable Product Markets Growing Rapidly

REUTERS
Wed Nov 17, 2010 7:00am GMT

GENEVA Nov 17 (Reuters) – Markets for sustainable products, such as those with the Fairtrade label, have expanded rapidly over the past five years and are growing much faster than those for conventional goods, a U.N.-backed report said on Wednesday.

* Growth in sustainable products outpaces conventional goods

* Sales of certified sustainable coffee more than quintupled in the period to 392,347 tonnes in 2009 — representing more than 8 percent of global coffee exports and 17 percent of global production — from 73,602 tonnes in 2004;

* Sustainable cocoa sales more than tripled to 46,896 tonnes in 2008 — 1.2 percent of global sales — from 13,473 tonnes in 2003.  >>Read Full Story<<

Study Singles Out Fair Trade Coffee for Focus on People, Premium and More

FAIRTRADE INTERNATIONAL
22 November 2010

In a recently published study, Fairtrade stood out for its people approach and unique financial tools. The report by Netwerk Bewust Verbruiken (NBV), a Belgian consumer interest organization, compares Fairtrade and two other ethical labels for coffee.

“Fairtrade views everything from the producers’ point of view, Rainforest Alliance looks at the relationship between producer and environment and UTZ CERTIFIED pays particular attention to the end product and the production stages,” the study states.

The three labels each have different origins, resulting in very different approaches. Fairtrade aims to support small farmers to improve their lives and take more control over their future.

The biggest differences are found in the economic criteria. Fairtrade is the only label that provides a minimum price that aims to cover the average costs of sustainable production. In addition, upon producers’ request, buyers must provide up to 60 percent of the contract value in pre-financing. Furthermore, there is an established Fairtrade Premium, a sum of money above the agreed upon price that producers can invest in community projects.

Fairtrade standards are also unique in insisting on the establishment of cooperative farmers’ organizations, which provide farmers with greater leverage in negotiations and involvement in the trade process.

In regards to sustainably produced coffee, the NBV reports that all three labels meet the strictest standards regarding inspection, traceability and transparency.  >> Read Full Story Here