Why Fair Trade Cocoa?
For three consecutive years since 2000, analysts predict a deficit situation in the world cocoa market. Cocoa farming must be very profitable for the farmers. So what is the need for Fair Trade certified cocoa? The majority of the cocoa is produced on small family farms in tropical countries. These farmers are not educated or market savvy. Cocoa is their only cash crop and most of the profits are cornered by various other parts of the supply chain; including middlemen who hardly add any significant value to the product. The Farmers continue to be poor. Fair Trade is an international organization that encourages these farmers to form cooperatives and market their product directly without middlemen. Fair Trade certifies the cooperatives, educates them in sustainable farming and helps them increase their income by making sure that they are paid a proper price for their products, so they can live a dignified life. The Fair Trade organization also carries out many other projects, such as ed
