The Fair Trade movement seems to have entered a once in 25-year time of tremendous change. As the dominant certification system experiences its first major split since its founding in 1988, producers, businesses, and other advocates continue to debate the direction of Fair Trade, differences between Fair Trade USA and Fairtrade International, and the very essence of Fair Trade. Some of the most relevant, recent online comments to date include: (more…)
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Key Stakeholder Voices Continue Speaking Out on Direction of Fair Trade After FTUSA Split from FLO December 22, 2011 -
Some Insights Into What FTUSA Leaving FLO Means for Producers & the Movement – According to a Producer Leader November 29, 2011 -
On November 1, FTRN produced Webinar 118: A Community Discussion of What FTUSA Leaving FLO Means for Producers and the Movement-Part 2 with a Producer Leader. The panelist was Jerónimo Pruijn van Engelen, Executive Director of FUNDEPPO/Small Producers´ Symbol, and CLAC Delegate to Fairtrade International’s Standards Committee (CLAC-Latin American and Caribbean Network of Small Fair Trade Producers owns FUNDEPPO, which is managed independently from CLAC), and moderator was Jeff Goldman, Executive Director of Fair Trade Resource Network. Part 3 with FLO, and Part 4 with both FTUSA and FLO, are expected as webinars in coming weeks. You can download the 50-min recording of webinar 118, or register for upcoming webinars, at FTRN webinars.
FLO Publishes 2010 Sales Statistics; Global Fairtrade Sales Grow 27% to $5.8B November 28, 2011 -
Fairtrade International (FLO), the product certification system associated with around 90% of all Fair Trade products sold annually around the world, released its 2010 data for sales by consumer country and by product sector. While globally sales grew over 2009 by a strong 27% to $5.8 billion, U.S. sales grew 5% to $1.3 billion, and Canada sales grew 6% to $330 million. The largest consumer country remained the UK, with sales growing to $1.8 billion (up 40%). The biggest growth was reported in the Czech Republic (386%), South Africa (315%), and Australia/New Zealand (258%). FLO also reports sales volumes by product type. Of the high-volume products in FLO’s sytem, global sales of sugar and cocoa grew strongest in 2010, up 41% and 153% respectively. Coffee, the highest volume product, grew 19%. Sales of wine, sports balls, and quinoa each more than doubled. Sales of fruit juice, herbs & spices, bananas and fresh fruit declined. Stakeholder Debate Blossoms as Fair Trade Enters Time of Monumental Change November 1, 2011 -
The Fair Trade movement seems to have entered a once in 25-year time of tremendous change. As the dominant certification system experiences its first major split since its founding in 1988, producers, businesses, and other advocates debate the direction of Fair Trade, differences between Fair Trade USA and Fairtrade International, and the very essence of Fair Trade. Some of the best online comments to date include: (more…) New “Fair Trade Certified” Mark Announced October 28, 2011 -
Details at new Fair Trade Certified Label Launch Producers Gain Equal Power in Fairtrade International’s Highest Decision Making Body October 14, 2011 -
Fairtrade International (FI, formerly FLO), announced this week that its highest decision-making body, the General Assembly, will now have producers at equal voting power as consumer-country labeling initiatives. The voting power of producer networks significantly increased from 3 out of 24 votes, to 12 out of 24. (more…) Some Insights Into What FTUSA Leaving FLO Means for Producers and the Movement-Part 1 with FTUSA October 14, 2011 -
On October 12, FTRN produced Webinar 117: A Community Discussion of What FTUSA Leaving FLO Means for Producers and the Movement-Part 1 with FTUSA. The panelist was Paul Rice, CEO of Fair Trade USA, and moderator was Jeff Goldman, Executive Director of Fair Trade Resource Network. Part 2 with FLO, and Part 3 with both FTUSA and FLO, are expected as webinars in coming weeks. You can download the 50-min recording of webinar 117, or register for upcoming webinars, at FTRN webinars.
The 3 Major Producer Networks Oppose FTUSA’s Withdrawal from FLO October 5, 2011 -
The 3 major producer networks (representing 800 producers groups comprised of around 1 million producers in 60 countries) in Fair Trade certification, issued statements this week strongly opposing Fair Trade USA’s decision to withdraw from Fairtrade International (FLO), and to FTUSA doing so without consulting the 3 networks, all co-owners of FLO. (more…) FLO & FTUSA Further Clarify What Their Split Means for Stakeholders September 19, 2011 -
Fairtrade International (FLO), and Fair Trade USA (FTUSA), have announced some details of what their split means for producers, businesses, advocates and other stakeholders in the months ahead. As FTUSA’s withdrawal from the FLO system takes effect December 31, 2011, stakeholders will see many changes. (more…) FTUSA to Leave FLO System September 15, 2011 -
Fairtrade International (FLO) and Fair Trade USA (FTUSA) jointly announced today that FTUSA is resigning its membership in FLO, effective December 31, 2011. The joint statement said “…as we look to the future, we recognize that we have different perspectives on how best to achieve this common mission.” The dominant certifier in the US market, administering the “Fair Trade Certified” mark, has been a key member of FLO since FTUSA was founded as Transfair USA in 1998. FLO will have around 25 other country’s labeling initiatives stay as members, including Fairtrade Canada. (more…) |
Some of the speakers’ main points from the webinar include comments below. 
Fair Trade USA (FTUSA) has announced that the dominant label on U.S. and Canada products certified as Fair Trade will change to the one pictured at left. Both the new label, as well as the outgoing “bucket boy” one, will appear on products sold in N. America in 2012. The new “Fair Trade Certified” label, for the first time, can also be used on products sold in countries outside of N. America. So, the 3 widely recognized product labels in Fair Trade (Fair Trade Certified, FAIRTRADE, and Fair for Life) will now be seen in the U.S., Canada, and other countries.