Fair Trade Chocolate

Fair trade chocolate is made from cocoa that complies with certain requirements pertaining to ethical treatment of farmers and labourers involved in its cultivation and production. Most of the world’s cocoa comes from African countries with very poor working conditions. By buying Fair Trade chocolate, consumers can, in a sense, vote with their money to ensure better labour conditions in countries from where chocolate ingredients are sourced.

Fair Trade chocolate certification is based on the standards set forth by Fairtrade International, a consortium of several worldwide trade groups who establish the criteria for all Fair Trade products. The certification has set guidelines for the way cocoa is produced, which includes fair prices for farmers and co-ops and decent living conditions for the workers on cocoa plantations.

Fair Trade ensures steady cocoa prices that the farmer can depend on, and leads economic development initiatives such as financing health care, schools, and infrastructure projects. By providing a premium to invest in local communities, it helps farmers build a more secure future for themselves and their families. When you buy chocolate with the Fair Trade logo, you are making sure your money goes to chocolate producers following ethical and sustainable practices.

Being an informed chocolate buyer is not only good for you but also for the marginalised economies that depend on chocolate for sustenance. With mind-boggling brand choices and complicated labels, it’s hard not to be stumped.