In principle fair trade is certainly very good. But there are some unfortunate issues with it.
How much extra should you pay for fair trade products?
Because the problem is some profit companies will mark up these fair trade products greater than general products as they exploit fair trade as a marketing tool.
This is a real problem because consumers may get the idea that this extra they pay is going to the producer when it is not.
This really is exploitation by companies that can completely undermine the principles of fair trade
But there are ways to get around this problem.
I have found that most products are of almost the same price anyway. Fair trade sugar tends to be more expensive then its regular counterpart. Not sure why as of yet.
Chocolate can vary.
On one hand is the average tasting Scarborough fair which matches to Cadbury pricing.
But then there is the absolutely divine Trade Aid chocolate produced in Belgium, from cocoa produced in Ghana, which costs a bit more however.
My perspective on the matter is. You shouldn't pay more than 10% more for fair trade. Unless you feel you are getting something extra out of it.
Organic is also a consideration that needs to be taken into account.
Organic products are more important than I thought. I'm not worried about the health effects on myself. But I am worried about the ecological systems in developing nations which don't quite have the same regulation as we do here.
I have learnt this after watching a few videos and reading a few articles. Never thought of organics benefit in that way.
Another consideration you should take into account with clothing. Is that there is a double cost for ethical clothing production. Sourcing of ethical cotton and paying labour a fair wage.
And the last consideration should be whether the company is a not for profit or is profit making. What happens with the extra money? They normally tell you.
But yeah my general rule of thumb, don't pay more than 10% for fair trade unless you are getting something extra out of the product.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
3 comments:
but post but its good that your're providing a balanced perspective in fair trade promoting it but not making it the absolute nesscesity.
The price thing is interesting. but what if the company like caburys like does do fair trade or pays reasonable well but simply doesn't market themselves that way. Then there is the fact that there is always someone happy to discredit a huge company by spreading rubbish about them so using the right sources is very important.
I wish fair trade was an easier thing to do and as you said not too much more then I would get much more of it
Don't try and defend Cadbury's ass :/
I boycotted them ages ago :P
They really don't care
They don't reply to any emails on the matter
But they did even worse then they are doing. They bought up green and blacks here in New Zealand.
That was a fair trade range of chocolate common in New Zealand supermarkets.
Then they boycotted the fair trade.
I think it's safe to say your sources are correct from Fair Trade NZ and Aus because they only label the products. They know the prices that cadbury and such pay.
Especially when cadbury don't reply...
"But I am worried about the ecological systems in developing nations which don't quite have the same regulation as we do here." That's why I want to do natural resources engineering! Kinda anyway
Post a Comment