Fairtrade certification and its role in coffee farming

Today's consumers are becoming more and more conscious - we are not only interested in how products taste, but also how and where they are produced. One of the most recognisable labels for ethical and sustainable production is Fairtrade certification. But what does this certification mean and why is it so important, especially in the coffee industry?

Fairtrade - what is it?

Fairtrade is an internationally recognised certification label that ensures that products are sourced according to specific social, economic and environmental criteria. The label guarantees that farmers are paid a fair price for their work, that workers' rights are respected and that negative environmental impacts are reduced.

Fairtrade is not just a symbol - it is an entire trading principle based on respect, partnership and sustainability. It is a system that directly affects more than 1.7 million farmers and workers around the world.

How was Fairtrade born?

The Fairtrade movement began in the 1940s and 1950s as a reaction to unfair trading conditions on the international market. But today, since 1988, when the first Fairtrade-labelled product was launched in the Netherlands - a coffee called Max Havelaar - the movement has gone global.

Fairtrade International (FLO) has established a set of standards and a certification system that allows consumers to identify ethically sourced products in shops.

Why is Fairtrade so important for the coffee industry?

Coffee is one of the most traded agricultural products in the world, but it is often grown in regions with high levels of poverty. Small-scale coffee farmers often suffer from price volatility, unscrupulous buyers and unpredictable climatic conditions.

Fairtrade provides:

A minimum price - a safety net in times of crisis.
Fairtrade bonus - extra income that communities can use for education, healthcare or infrastructure.
Direct cooperation - without intermediaries who often take a big cut of the profits.
Democracy and management - farmers' cooperatives are managed collectively on the basis of equality.
An environmentally friendly approach - organic farming is encouraged and the use of chemicals is reduced.

What does this mean for you as a coffee lover?

When you choose Fairtrade certified coffee, you choose fairness. You choose a world where farmers are paid a fair wage, children do not suffer forced labour, the environment is protected and you invest in social development in countries struggling with inequality.

It also means quality. Fairtrade often works with small producers who pay particular attention to taste, variety and processing methods.

Fairtrade and arabikakafija.lv

We, arabikakafija.lv, are proud to support Fairtrade certified coffee.
The next time you enjoy your morning cup of coffee, remember the people who grew, harvested and processed it by hand. With Fairtrade, you're not just enjoying great coffee - you're part of a movement that's changing the world.