The UK is the world’s largest fair trade market, and it continues to grow. Fair trade is a purchasing and trading practice that focuses on creating fair pricing for farmers and supplying living wages. Some fair trade programs will provide community benefits for farmers, workers and their families in developing countries.
Many people purchase fair trade because they believe in and want to support the practices; however, there is another side to fair trade. Fair trade works essentially like a coop in order for a product to receive a fair trade stamp the farmer must pay an annual fee for the membership. Some poor or remote farmers cannot organize and join up while others cannot afford the fees. Fair trade products generally cost more and there is no telling if the farm or community actually receive the difference. Sometimes this annual fee ends up costing the farmer the entirety of the extra wage they would receive leaving them with nothing but a fair trade stamp!
Why would these farmers allow such conditions when they are the ones producing? Many farmers speak only their native language and are unable to communicate, they do not know the industry standard, and end up taking much less just to survive the next day. Many farmers only have one option; sell for less or starve.
An alternative option to fair trade is direct trade. Direct trade is a trading practice that entails building a direct relationship with farmers and processors. This direct relationship ensures an equal partnership and mutually beneficial trade for each business, farmer and the retailer. There is no set of direct trade standards, and specific trade practices vary based on each individual partnership and personal agreement. Direct trade does ensure the
trade will be equally beneficial for both parties. Direct trade also allows the purchaser and the farmer to create the rules that work best for each of them.
The problem with direct trade is that it can be very difficult to find and communicate with many farms as they are in a remote region, far away from mass society. They may speak a native language, and do not understand or do not know what direct trade is and how it works. Most of these issues can be easily worked out, however, there are not many processors that work with mainstream retailers and also do direct trade. Many times the processors that practice direct trade are smaller independent companies and it is harder for them to reach such broad areas.
Now that we have defined fair trade and direct trade, here is what you can do to make a positive impact. You can purchase produce, meats, cheese, and eggs from your local farmers market. Research brands in your area that practice direct trade and buy those brands at your local supermarket. If your supermarket does not have brands that practice direct trade request them to carry the brand. Talk to your friends, family, and neighbors and tell them what’s up! Educate them on the benefits of direct trade and tell them how they can support brands that use direct trade.
We may not be able to have all the brands, produce, meats, and cheese that we buy purchased as a direct trade but we can educate ourselves and others about how to get there! Pure Harmony offers a line with 85% ingredients sourced from direct trade! Our Shea butter comes from a tribe in Ghana, our Myrrh comes from a tribe in Kenya, and everything else comes from small farms and family run businesses.
Pure Harmony
Jamie Lee
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IG @pureharmonywellness
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