Can Chocolate be Fair Trade?
Yes, chocolate can absolutely be Fair Trade. Fair Trade Certified™ chocolate is one of the most widely recognized Fair Trade products on the market. When brands certify their cocoa products with Fair Trade USA™, they meet stringent standards that ensure ethical practices across the supply chain, safe and fair conditions for farmers and workers, and environmental sustainability. By choosing Fair Trade chocolate, consumers support more sustainable systems that help build thriving futures for cocoa communities.
What Does Fair Trade Certification Mean for Chocolate?
Each year, 35 million pounds of Fair Trade Certified cocoa are imported from around the world, predominantly from the Ivory Coast, Peru, Dominican Republic, and Ecuador. Fair Trade Certification ensures that this cocoa meets rigorous social, environmental, and economic standards. This includes fair wages for farmers, safe working conditions, and the distribution of Community Development Funds. The certification process also prohibits child labor and forced labor, issues that have been historically prevalent the cocoa industry. Farmers also receive a guaranteed minimum price for their cocoa sold on Fair Trade terms, providing a safety net against volatile market prices.
Why Should Consumers Choose Fair Trade Chocolate?
When you purchase chocolate with the Fair Trade Certified™ label, you’re making a conscious choice to empower farmers, uplift communities, and protect the planet. Fair Trade Certified chocolate:
- Supports Farmers: Fair Trade prioritizes farmer empowerment, ensuring that cocoa producers have the resources they need. This includes training in sustainable farming practices, which help to improve yields and protect natural resources. According to our reports, cocoa farmers earned more than $3.2 million in Community Development Funds in a single year.
- Fights Exploitation: The Fair Trade model directly addresses widespread exploitation in the cocoa industry by ensuring that workers are treated ethically and paid fairly. This helps farmers succeed in the global market and build promising futures for their families.
- Elevates Sustainability: Fair Trade Certification includes strict environmental standards to protect fragile ecosystems and encourage sustainable practices such as agroforestry and biodiversity conservation.