Le commerce équitable

Where does the coffee in my daily cup come from? How was it produced? By whom? Under what conditions? What impact does it have on climate? How can I know and ensure that my purchases encourage best practices?

• In 1964, in Geneva, at a United Nations conference on trade and development, producers suffering from the collapse of coffee prices on the global market advocate for trade that allows them to survive. Their rallying cry, Trade, not aid, marks the birth of fair trade. • Civil society, charitable organizations, consumer associations, networks of small retailers, and agricultural cooperatives organized in favor of trade whose conditions guarantee the rights and fair compensation of workers and producers.

• The commitment is twofold: more responsible purchasing for consumers, and environmentally and labor-law-compliant production for producers. • At the international level, these networks of actors are grouped within two main organizations, Fairtrade International and World Fair Trade Organization, which agree on the following definition: • "Fair trade is a commercial partnership founded on dialogue, transparency and respect aimed at ensuring greater equity in international trade. It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to producers and workers in marginalized situations, particularly in developing countries, while securing their rights." • This international definition is supported by a fair trade charter and several labels that guarantee consumers that products purchased have been produced under conditions that respect the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. • Today, numerous food and agricultural products are labeled 'fair trade': chocolate and coffee represent nearly half of sales, alongside tea, spices, fruits, cosmetics… the vast majority of which comes from organic farming. There are also artisanal products: textiles, wooden or metal items, pottery, jewelry… which represent less than 10% of the fair trade market.