公平交易 (1/3)

So, Ian

I understand that the original idea for Fairtrade came in 1989

How did it happen?

Actually the Fairtrade Foundation itself was finally set up in 1992

but yes, you're right

the catalyst for the spread of Fairtrade

was three years earlier when the international coffee agreement

that controlled prices collapsed with the withdrawal of the US

At that time coffee was the world's biggest agricultural commodity

In a few months the price fell by half.

It was a huge disaster for the 20 million people growing and processing coffee around the world

Many of the producing countries were dependent on coffee for over a half their exports

Can you give us some examples of how you help, exactly?

One way is that

we encourage producers to learn how to compete effectively in international markets

We help farmers coming into the system

to develop the capacity to cope with fulfilling demand

and we set a minimum guaranteed price for their products