1. Kongress "Fairtrade im Handel" in Berlin
Fairtrade continues to expand worldwide. Manufacturers of Fairtrade certified goods increased their turnover by 15 percent in 2009 reaching a volume of approximately 3.4 billion Euros. Fairtrade commodities in Germany grew to a total volume of 267 million Euros. Business in Austria and Switzerland continues to grow. The largest Fairtrade markets are still found in Great Britain and in USA with annual turnovers of 897 and 851 million Euros respectively.
Worldwide the Fairtrade seal benefits from its high profile and reliability. A study conducted in 15 countries revealed that half of the population knows the Fairtrade seal. Of those nine out of 10 rely on it.
In order for all Fairtrade certified products to conform to Fairtrade standards regular inspections are held at the participating enterprises. FLO-CERT GmbH in Bonn has been entrusted with this responsibility using an independent, transparent, and globally consistent certification system specified by ISO Standard 65.
Fair trading assists small agricultural farms in Latin America, Africa, and Asia. The guaranteed minimum rate paid to producers of coffee, tea, bananas, oranges, cocoa, rice, and cotton ensures the producers and their families’ livelihood. Professionals council farmers targeting ways to improve cultivating methods, to develop their own seeds, and to diversify their production.
Further informationwww.transfair.org
