Facts
Understanding the dynamics of international trade is a bit
like trying to organise a plate of spaghetti, but here are
some facts to get you started:
Unfair Trade
- Every day, a European cow gets more in subsidies (approx US$2.20) than 1.2 billion of the world’s poor have to live on.
- Globally, $US3.6 trillion is exchanged in goods annually, but Fair Trade goods make up only 0.1%
- If poor countries could get access to just one percent more of the value of world trade, it would lift well over 100 million people out of poverty through the economic growth and jobs created.
Want to know more?
Read Oxfam's 'Rigged Rules & Double Standards'
What is 'Fair' Trade?
The Fair Trade Association of Australia and New Zealand works with and supports the FINE definition of fair trade:
"Fair Trade is a trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency and respect, that 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.
Fair Trade organisations (backed by consumers) are engaged actively in supporting producers, awareness raising and in campaigning for changes in the rules and practice of conventional international trade."
Chocolate, Coffee and Tea
Did you know?
- Seventy percent of the world’s cocoa is produced in West Africa, where over 284,000 children work in hazardous conditions.
- Cocoa farmers in Ghana receive only about 1.2 per cent of the price we pay for a chocolate bar.
- From a $3 cappuccino that you might buy at a café, only 3 cents goes to the farmer who grew the beans.
- From every dollar you pay for tea at the supermarket, only about 15 cents reaches people in the country of origin. A whopping 85% is creamed by multinational tea producers and related companies.
You can do something right now
to Stir for Trade Justice.
Find out how easy it is.
Find out How U Can Stir.
