Fair Trade USA announced that Fair Trade Certified™ coffee imports hit an all-time high in 2012: 163 million pounds were imported into the U.S. and Canada, representing an 18 percent increase from 2011. This growth, driven by Fair Trade USA’s more than 400 coffee importing and roasting partners, helped farmers and workers earn an additional $32 million in community development premiums, according to the release. These premiums, owned and managed by Fair Trade producers, are invested in much-needed projects, including medical care, environmental conservation, access to clean water, quality and productivity, scholarships for children and adults and agricultural training.
Fair Trade USA also brought on 60 new importers and roasters in 2012, and 50 new Fair Trade certified coffee products were launched. Existing partners also ramped up their support of Fair Trade in 2012:
- Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc. (GMCR) recently converted one of its best-selling coffees, Green Mountain Coffee® Nantucket Blend®, to Fair Trade Certified™.
- Allegro Coffee announced plans to convert its Ethiopian Blend to Fair Trade Certified in 2013.
Due to this record growth in volume and imports, Fair Trade USA is on track to double the impact of Fair Trade for farmers and workers by 2015 — a goal outlined in the organization’s 2011 Fair Trade for All innovation initiative. To support this continued momentum, in 2012 Fair Trade USA focused on three key areas necessary to increase the scope, impact and relevancy of Fair Trade for everyone in the supply chain.
