FairTrade Fortnight - A CElebration of FairTrade

Image by Berd Whitlock via Flickr

FairTrade Fortnight - Changing the World With Your Shopping Basket by Nicholas Watson

Did you know that in February you're more likely to bump into someone in a banana costume than at any other time of year? This isn't because there's an annual banana man conference held in February, but because of something called FairTrade Fortnight.

Perhaps you've never bumped into a banana on legs. But chances are you've heard of two confusing things called Free Trade and FairTrade. Maybe you've assumed they're the same idea. I mean, freedom sounds fair, doesn't it?

Well, no actually. Confused? Don't be.

Free trade refers to a system of completely open trade, where barriers and restrictions to trade are removed to allow the free flow of goods and services across borders. FairTrade refers to a system where international trade is managed to benefit marginalised producers in developing countries.

To put it another way, free trade supporters are generally in favour of letting the market have free rein in international trade. This, they say, is the best way of bringing people and whole countries out of poverty. A rising tide (of trade and therefore wealth) floats all boats.

Advocates of fairtrade argue that the market cannot be left unfettered because in practice relations between countries are uneven and trading relationships are not equal. Wealth does not always trickle down, and action needs to be taken to make up for the deficiencies and failings of the free market. That's where ethically sourced, or fairly traded, goods come into play.

FairTrade Fortnight is an annual event that celebrates and promotes the benefits of fair and ethical global trade.

The event began in the UK in the 1990s and has subsequently spread to a large number of countries. The primary goal of the campaign is to raise awareness of fairtrade and promote the expanding range of ethically sourced products that are now available to consumers in Europe, the US and beyond.

Already, awareness of the concept of fairtrade has grown significantly among consumers. Global sales of ethically sourced goods were US$3.62bn in 2007. And of course, producers in developing countries have also benefited. In 2008, it was estimated that over 7.5 million disadvantaged producers and their families were benefiting from various initiatives funded by fairtrade.

FairTrade Fortnight helps to explain the benefits of this equitable trading system and to promote the idea that fairtrade is trade as it should be.

So next time you see a man dressed as a banana coming towards you, you're not hallucinating. It's probably a fairtrade campaigner illustrating the benefits of fairly traded fruits. Fairtrade bananas are one of the best selling ethical products in Europe, providing dignity and decent incomes to millions of producers.

Think what a world of difference the average person can make by buying a humble banana! Quite simply, the power of your shopping basket is endless.

Nicholas Watson is a commentator on fairtrade issues and works in Latin America with cooperatives and marginalised artisans to produce design-led fairtrade jewellery. He is also founder of the online fairtrade store http://www.jungleberry.co.uk/.

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