Fair Trade products are a part of a program started by people that wanted to use their purchasing power to make sure that tiny farmers, crafters and artisans had the prospect to compete with bigger corporations and make a good wage doing it. Any small company that desires to work under the Fairtrade umbrella must follow certain rules and regulations and obtain certified. The certification must be renewed every few years.
Fair Trade USA
Fair Trade USA, oversights companies to make sure that they follow the fairtrade business practices. The program is essentially viewed as being good for consumers and good for little businesses. But some people say that the disadvantages of Fair Trade outweigh the benefits. Take a glance at a number of the disadvantages and choose for yourself if purchasing these products is that’s right for you.
Fair Trade Certification
Another disadvantage that’s often mentioned is that getting Fair Trade certification is dear for the individuals and little businesses that the program wants to assist. The initial process of getting certified are often expensive. But the benefit to the business is gigantic. Being a licensed business can increase sales by 15% or more for many businesses.
There are expenses to running any business and paying for the certification necessary to be a part of the program may be a trade expense that gives an excellent return. Businesses also got to renew their Fair Trade certification every few years which does cost a touch, although it costs but the initial certification. Being re-certified every few years is vital because it ensures that the business if following the protocols of the program. due to the added marketability that the certification brings the value isn’t a hindrance to most businesses.
Does Buying Fair Trade Products cost more?
It is true that buyers usually pay a touch more for products that have Fair Trade Certification. Any products that are ethically produced from produce to coffee are getting to cost quite similar products that are sold at big stores. But price isn’t rock bottom line for socially conscious consumers.
Typically, Fairtrade items are not any quite a couple of dollars costlier than the alternatives. Those few dollars might equal skipping a cup of coffee-shop coffee or waiting an additional week to shop for a replacement sweater that you simply want. But to the artists, crafters, farmers and little business owners whose products you’re buying those few dollars have an enormous impact. Those extra dollars mean that children can attend school, or a lady who is trapped in an unsafe situation can finally file for divorce and support herself. Those dollars eliminate food insecurity for families and supply clean water for communities.
Does it make a difference to which Fair Trade product we purchase?
This disadvantage of Fair Trade is one that buyers who aren’t really conversant in the program often raise. They think that it really does not make a difference if you purchase these products or not so people should just buy the most cost-effective product. To a big corporation, it’s true that one purchase won’t make a difference. But to a little independent business that one purchase does really matter.
Every dollar earned can make a dramatic difference for a family-owned business or artist cooperative. It might appear to be buying these products isn’t really a crucial option to make because you don’t see the impact but dig a touch deeper into how Fair Trade works and you’ll be amazed at the difference your purchase can make.
