What is Fair Trade Tea?

Fair Trade Tea is a partnership between tree pickers, tea traders and tea drinkers.

The daily decisions you and I make as a consumer can make a real, positive difference in the world. When you and I choose to buy fair trade products, we are making a strong connection with hardworking, but impoverished workers around the world.

The Fair Trade movement has been gaining momentum in recent years. The movement focuses in particular on exports from developing countries to developed countries.

Although it has been more focused on coffee companies, handicrafts and more recently cocoa, the attention is now shifting to producers of the popular cuppa tea, the second most consumed drink in the world after water.


What does it mean when a tea is Certified Fair Trade?

* The tea plantation must operate in a transparent manner.

* It meets specific criteria with respect to wages, living conditions and working conditions of its pickers.

* It must not discriminate when hiring in regards to race, gender, ethnicity or religion.

* The price paid for Fair Trade tea should cover production costs in addition to a fair trade premium.

* This fair trade premium goes directly back to the tea pickers themselves or in the case of plantations, a joint body is formed comprising workers, advisors and management. The joint body decides how these funds will be used to meet the community needs.

* It must protect the environment.

* It must work towards community development.

* Forced labour and child labour of children of 15 years and under is prohibited.


The Fair Trade Certified Guarantee

How can you be sure that the tea you choose meets international Fair Trade standards?

Look for the Fair Trade Certified logo. That is your guarantee for fairness and social responsibility in international trade.


Gift for that someone with a conscience, try the Fair Trade Tea Gift Set from Art of Tea.