Fair-Trade Certified

Fair Trade is a trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency and respect that seek greater equity in international trade. It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, marginalized producers and workers around the world.

Fair Trade is an alternative approach to the conventional method of international trading. Not only does Fair Trade guarantee that worker co-operatives/producers, receive fair prices for their products, but it also ensures they receive a fair trade premium on top of this. This premium is a fixed amount which is paid on top of the minimum price, and traditionally invested into social, economic and environmental projects such as pension schemes for the older farmers, improvement of healthcare and often education. The decision on how the premium is split is decided by the producers within their farming organisations.

In terms of Cocoa it is the above mentioned premium which really makes the difference to the producers, workers and their families. A premium of $150/metric ton is added to the minimum price which is re-invested into the community. As well as the social projects mentioned earlier, the premium is used to buy new machinery to improve efficiencies and help to produce greater yields.

Fair Trade certification is awarded by the Fair Trade labelling organization (FLO) which is based in Bonn, Germany. This organization is non-profit, multi stakeholder association which involves 23 member organisations. The governing body develops and reviews Fair Trade standards and provides support to Fair Trade certified producers.

As Fair Trade products become more recognisable and start to experience greater shelf presence within the major supermarket chains, the challenge appears to be the integration of Fair Trade into the majority of the ranges as opposed to a token offering to satisfy the demands of the marketing department.

There is no doubt Fair Trade is on an upward spiral, as consumers not only search for organic products but they strive to become more ethical. Fair Trade products have experienced an average yearly sales growth of 40% over the last five years, with sales topping 2.3billion Euros in 2007.

Organic Meltdown is committed to helping continue this growth and to ensure marginalized producers can develop economic self sufficiency, and ensures stability and to provide essential education for their families that we in the developed world take for granted.

OM Chocolate is 100% Fair-Trade certified by FLOeV of Bonn, Germany.

For more information relating to Fair Trade please visit www.info.fairtrade.net.