Fair Trade Tea - What it is and Why it is Important?

Why Fair Trade Tea?Other companies may not yet have achieved
In 2009, tea workers in Sri Lanka (where Ceylon teacertification for all their products, but may still
is made) were protesting for higher wages. Theyundertake some efforts to promote similar values
were seeking to double their wages--to $4.50 for aand effects even for products that are not certified.
day's work. That's comparable to the price of a boxBeyond certification, some companies also donate a
of 20-50 teabags of inexpensive tea in mostportion of their profits to causes promoting human
supermarkets in America, and far less than therights and environmental protection.
minimum wage for an hour's work in the U.S. EvenSustainability and Environmental Issues:
with the lower cost of living in Sri Lanka, according toSustainability is an integral part of fair trade, whether
the BBC News, almost a third of these workers werein tea production or the production of other goods.
living in poverty.Integral to the certification process are the
Fair trade is a principle that aims to address thisincorporation of standards for environmental
problem, not just in the production of tea, but in theprotection and conservation, including the promotion
production of agricultural products, clothing, and otherof organic farming methods and the avoidance of
products imported into wealthier nations such as theGMO's (genetically-modified organisms). TransFair
United States of America. The problem of povertycertified tea is often certified organic as well, since
associated with low wages is not limited to Sri Lanka;the standards for TransFair certification already
it is an important issue for many countries that tea isinvolve taking steps towards organic certification, and
imported from. With the exception of Japan, mostthe certifying organizations actively promote organic
tea is produced in developing countries wherefarming practices.
exploitation of workers, environmental degradation,Are Fair Trade Teas More Expensive?
child labor, slave labor, and other human rightsFair trade teas are only modestly higher-priced than
violations are major issues of concern.their non-fair-trade counterparts, and sometimes they
What is Fair Trade?can be comparable in price. Part of the reason prices
Fair trade is a complex and diverse social movement,are kept from getting too high is the elimination of
and is hard to pin down and define concisely. Thisunnecessary middlemen. Trading directly with
movement aims to ensure that workers are paid aproducers results in more efficient distribution and
fair living wage, have good working conditions, andhelps keep the list and shelf prices of products from
work within democratic and transparent organizations.getting too high.
The movement achieves these goals by issuingWhere to Buy Fair Trade Teas:
certification to groups of producers meeting certainFair trade teas are becoming increasingly widespread.
standards. The standards encompass workingRishi Tea is at the forefront of fair trade tea
conditions, price, pay, and organization of businesses,companies, with an overwhelming majority of its
and are chosen so as to promote the values andloose tea both TransFair certified and organic. Equal
goals of fair trade: community development,Exchange, a global leader in sustainable trade and
environmental conservation, and economic justice.cooperatives, with stricter standards than those set
Different organizations offer such certification andby TransFair, sells some tea, although it is better
there are various labels associated with theseknown for its coffee. Numi Tea offers a substantial
organizations. By far the best-known certifyingportion of TransFair certified teas, both loose and in
organization and label in the U.S. is TransFair. Someteabags. Upton Tea Imports has been increasing its
companies, such as Equal Exchange, are TransFairofferings of TransFair certified teas, and Republic of
certified, but go above and beyond the requirementsTea has launched a small line of fair trade teas. The
for certification, undertaking additional efforts andamount of companies carrying such teas will only
setting stricter standards for supporting small farmersincrease over time.
and democratically-run cooperatives. Supporting smallBuying fair trade tea is a responsible moral and ethical
farmers and small cooperatives is an issue of keydecision as it promotes economic justice, human
importance in tea production, as most tea is currentlyrights, and conservation of the environment. You can
produced on large plantations, and the large plantationhelp the movement and help promote these goals
structure lends itself to poor environmental andand values by buying some for yourself!
human rights practices.