All Photos TransFair USA enables sustainable development and community empowerment by cultivating a more equitable global trade model that benefits farmers, workers, consumers, industry and the earth. We achieve our mission by certifying and promoting Fair Trade products.

Focus Areas:

Economic Development, Environment, Poverty

Countries Served:

All 56 countries: Argentina Burkina Faso Benin Bolivia Brazil Belize Congo, The Democratic Republic of The Cote D'Ivoire Chile Cameroon China Colombia Costa Rica Cuba Dominican Republic Ecuador Egypt Ethiopia Ghana Guatemala Honduras Haiti Indonesia India Kenya Comoros Lao People'S Democratic Republic Sri Lanka Morocco Mali Malawi Mexico Mozambique Namibia Nicaragua Nepal Panama Peru Papua New Guinea Philippines Pakistan Paraguay Rwanda Senegal El Salvador Togo Thailand Timor-Leste Tunisia Tanzania, United Republic of Uganda Saint Vincent and The Grenadines Venezuela Viet Nam South Africa Zimbabwe   Summary by region: Latin America & Caribbean Africa Asia Australia & Oceania

Description of Services:
TransFair USA is the only third-party certifier of Fair Trade products in the United States. We audit transactions between US companies offering Fair Trade Certified products and the international suppliers from whom they source, to guarantee that the farmers and farm workers behind Fair Trade Certified goods were paid a fair, above-market price. In addition, annual inspections conducted by FLO ensure that strict socioeconomic development criteria are being met using increased Fair Trade revenues.
History:
In 1988, world coffee prices began a sharp descent, triggering the birth of the first Fair Trade certification initiative: a Dutch organization branded Max Havelaar. It offered mainstream coffee industry players a standardized system of Fair Trade criteria. In 1997 FairTrade Labelling Organizations International (FLO) brought Max Havelaar together with labeling initiatives in other countries under one umbrella organization. TransFair USA is one of its 21 members. TransFair USA opened its doors in late 1998 and began certifying Fair Trade coffee. Our label is a third-party guarantee that farmers and farm workers received an equitable price for their crops, direct trade, access to credit, and support for sustainable agriculture.
Accomplishments & Progress:
Since 1998, the number of Fair Trade products on the United States market has increased more than tenfold; American companies licensed by TransFair USA have grown to more than 700; and Fair Trade products have become available in more than 40,000 retail locations in the U.S. Fair Trade farmers and farm workers have earned more than $100 million in additional income from their products and achieved sustainable improvements for their communities. As of 2006, there are FLO certified producer groups in over 50 countries. Fair Trade Certified coffee is the fastest-growing segment of the US specialty coffee market. In addition to coffee, TransFair has introduced Fair Trade Certified tea, cocoa, fresh fruits, sugar, rice, vanilla and flowers.