Fair Trade

The principles of Fair Trade emerged over 40 years ago as a grassroots movement in response to the unfair system of world trade which placed profit above human rights. Today, individuals and organisations, such as the The Fairtrade Foundation, are at the forefront of the campaign for Trade Justice.

Zaytouns' adoption of Fair Trade principles requires substantial investment, for infrastructure & in particular training, in Palestine. It also requires Zaytoun to pay above international market rates for the the olive oil we purchase, as well ensuring that the farmers are paid in advance of shipment.

Fair-Trade also ensures that Palestinian farmers are guaranteed a living income, social development is facilitated and long-term contracts & guarantees to purchase Palestinian olive oil are offered which provide real security. Also, support for farmers to gain the knowledge and skills that they need to develop their businesses and increase sales is given.

Fair Trade is a trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency and respect, which seeks greater equity in international trade. It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, marginalized producers and workers – especially in the South.
All involved in Fair Trade accept that it has to include: paying fair prices to producers which reflect the true cost of production, supporting producer organisations in their social and environmental projects, promoting gender equality in pay and working conditions, advising on product development to increase access to markets, committing to long term relationships to provide stability and security and campaigning to highlight the unequal system of world trade which places profit above human rights and threatens our environment

The Fair Trade movement has been one of the most powerful responses to the problems facing commodity producers. It gives consumers an opportunity to use their purchasing power to tilt the balance, however slightly, in favour of the poor.

For hundreds of thousands of people, Fair Trade means the difference between a hand-to-mouth existence, and being able to plan for the future.

In the past decade, the Fair Trade movement has really taken off, as consumer awareness of - and indignation at - the treatment of producers in poor countries has increased.

For more information please see :

The Fairtrade Foundation

The Trade Justice movement

The International Fair Trade Association

British Association for Fair Trade Shops