Fair trade at the crossroads.

摘要

The Fair Trade movement has arrived at a crossroads because it is no longer simply a supply-driven trading partnership between NGOs in developed countries and marginalized producers in less developed countries. It has become a demand-driven, billion dollar industry propelled by ethnical consumerism and civil society's demand for greater corporate responsibility. The challenge is to manage the growth in such a way that the Fair Trade principles that facilitate socio-economic development do not get sidelined by the commercial objectives of multinational corporations. This process requires social entrepreneurs who understand Fair Trade as a development tool but pursue new opportunities for market growth. Capacities/Vulnerabilities analysis is recommended as a strategic planning tool for building the capacity to internalize Fair Trade values at every transaction point in the supply chain.