Today is International Coffee Day, and at present, approximately 7% of coffee consumed in the UK is bought on Fairtrade terms (USDA, 2023). Its #BetheChange campaign highlights the urgent need for fair prices for farmers and urges shoppers and retailers to choose Fairtrade products.
Globally, we drink two billion cups a day. If this were all Fairtrade certified, farmers would earn an astonishing additional £6.5 million per day to invest in their families, communities and protecting our shared environment. By choosing Fairtrade coffee you’re making a real difference. Buying Fairtrade is easy and affordable, with many UK retailers offering options in their coffee ranges, including budget-friendly choices.
The livelihoods of the farmers behind coffee are often fraught with uncertainty. The harsh reality is that few farmers earn a living income from production, and growing beans is being made increasingly difficult due to unfair terms of trade and the impacts of climate change.
The Fairtrade Foundation is tackling these challenges head-on by working with companies to enable coffee farmers to achieve higher prices. This pricing model, which includes the Fairtrade Premium (an additional sum of money which goes into a communal fund for workers and farmers to use) means farmers have a more equitable share of the profits, allowing them to invest in sustainable farming practices, improve living conditions, provide for their families, and give their children access to greater education opportunities.
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