Fairtrade Coffee

A focused explanation of Fairtrade pricing, standards and premiums in coffee.

Minimum Price and Premium

Fairtrade describes a Minimum Price protection mechanism for applicable certified producer organisations and an additional Premium intended for producer investment. The exact rules depend on the applicable standards and market conditions.

What certification covers

Certification addresses defined standards and audit requirements. It should not be interpreted as proof that every social, environmental or economic issue has been solved.

Coffee price volatility

Fairtrade’s model is particularly relevant to smallholder producers exposed to volatile market prices. Price protection is one component of a wider sustainability approach.

Questions consumers can ask

Look for the actual Fairtrade mark, product information and supply-chain context rather than assuming that an informal use of words such as fair or ethical has the same meaning.