You’re wondering “fair trade coffee vs organic coffee – how are they different?”.
I got you covered.
By Lilian.
Published on 08.30.2022
Affiliate disclosure
This page may contain affiliate links – we may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through these links. This is at no extra cost to you.
Most consumers, coffee lovers included, assume that fair trade coffee is more or less similar to organic coffee.
To some extent, this assumption is understandable because both certifications all relate to the protection of the environment.
They’re meant to motivate coffee producers to adopt sustainable farming and production practices.
But in reality, fair trade coffee and organic coffee are different.
Here’s how.
By the way, have you had a look at our resources and deals page yet?
What are Fair Trade Products?
According to Maya Spaull, the VP at Fair Trade USA, fair trade is the guarantee that a product has been traded in an ethical manner.
The ethicality is with respect to good working conditions, environmental conservation, and improved livelihoods.
As the Fairtrade Foundation puts it, for farmers and workers, “fairtrade” means that their rights are protected, they operate in safe working conditions, and they get paid fairly.
On the other hand, fair trade for shoppers means that they’re getting high-quality, ethically produced products.
Let’s now focus on fairtrade coffee and organic coffee.
What’s the Difference Between Fair-Trade Coffee and Organic Coffee?
Fairtrade coffee is basically coffee that’s been certified as having been produced under fair trade standards.
That is, the coffee supply chain has been checked and confirmed to be sustainable for the environment, the farmers are paid fairly, and they have good working conditions.
On the other hand, according to Grounds for Change, a well-known organic coffee roasting business in the US, organic coffee refers to coffee that’s grown without the use of chemicals.
That is, no chemical pesticides and fertilizers in the production process.
With the two definitions in mind, then we can now introduce a new concept.
Fair-Trade Organic Coffee – What is it all About?
Fairtrade organic coffee is coffee that’s not only fair trade, but also organic.
So, besides the coffee being produced without the use of any chemicals, it’s also produced under fairtrade standards.
There is no child labor, the workers are paid decent wages, they work in safe conditions, and so much more.
I believe that this is the best coffee for all of us coffee aficionados…
Why?
It’s the healthier, more ethical choice!<
Holly Roser, a certified nutritionist in New York, shares coffee’s dirty little secret.
It is the No. 1 pesticide-sprayed crop in the world!
Yes, you read that right…
Coffee beans are so expensive that farmers cannot gamble with these crops.
They’ve got to protect them so much by using chemical pesticides and fertilizers to help them grow.
Fortunately, for organic coffee, there’s no use of chemical fertilizers/pesticides.
So, it’s definitely healthier!
In terms of ethicality, farmers get a reward that matches their hard work.
They get to sell their coffee at a higher price (more on this later on…).
At the same time, consumers enjoy high-quality, healthier coffee!
What’s with Fair Trade Tea and Coffee?
Did you know that tea and coffee were the pioneer products for fair trade campaigns?
The objective was to ensure tea and coffee farmers in the under-developed, 3rd world countries got a better deal.
Today, fairtrade tea and coffee have made a name for themselves by competing very well with larger brands in terms of quality, taste, etc.
Let’s now delve deeper into fairtrade coffee.
Why is Fair Trade Coffee Important?
I am very passionate about coffee.
More so with fairtrade coffee.
Why?
Because as I buy this coffee, I am directly supporting a farmer somewhere around the world to afford a better quality of life for their family!
Well, as Fairtrade International puts it, there’s a very small margin – sometimes none – between the cost of coffee production and the price.
So, many coffee farmers are actually struggling to survive.
I am from Kenya, an East African country whose coffee is among the best in the world (Hey, Kenyan coffee lovers!).
Writing this, I was shocked to find that despite the “big name” of their delightfully acidic coffee, most farmers cannot afford a decent life.
In fact, many are slowly doing away with coffee production because of the low profits. It’s sad!
With this being the case even in other coffee-growing countries, we can all agree that the future of coffee is bleak.
Fairtrade coffee can change all this!
It comes with a minimum price, which according to Fairtrade America, gives farmers a guarantee to earn at least $1.40 and $1.70 per pound of conventional and organic coffee respectively. This is not the best that farmers can get, but it’s definitely better!
This is not the best that farmers can get, but it’s definitely better!
With fairtrade coffee, farmers can thrive, not just survive. In turn, we can be assured that this royal highness of a drink will always be around even for our future generations!
Isn’t this enough reason to grab a cup of fairtrade coffee every day?
Photos by Engin_Akyurt and Albertoadan
