Image
Image

Tea

Though tea is one of the most popular beverages in the world, it comes with its own production challenges on economic and environmental sustainability. Fairtrade actively works to address some of these challenges.

Issues that
come with tea

Svg Icon
Image

Tea is the world’s most popular drink (after water), with about 70,000 cups drunk every second. But there are many challenges in the industry that put tea farmers and workers at a disadvantage. Large tea estates can employ thousands of workers, but conditions can be poor and pay very low. Meanwhile, small-scale farmers rely on facilities at large estates for processing, meaning they have little control over their incomes and access to supply chains.

Fairtrade Interventions related to tea.

Fairtrade tea refers to all teas which stem from the leaves and buds of the Camellia sinensis plant. Fairtrade works with workers on plantations as well as with smallholder farmers to bring Fairtrade tea, to consumers around the world and India. These producer organisations create a local support mechanism that facilitate:

  • Svg Icon

    Access to markets

  • Svg Icon

    Access to finance

  • Svg Icon

    Knowledge sharing

  • Svg Icon

    Better resource management

  • Svg Icon

    Better working condition

Since 1994, Fairtrade has been committed to bringing about change for tea producers. Our rigorous standards are designed to empower farmers and workers through sustainable production practices, environmental protection, and improved labour rights. Fairtrade certified tea producers receive the Fairtrade Minimum Price, which is meant to cover the costs of sustainable production and provides protection against price drops due to unstable global markets, as well as the Fairtrade Premium, an additional sum for collective use by plantation workers or small holder tea farmers.

Image

Small-scale tea farmers invest most of their premium funds in farm and facility improvements, while workers on larger estates choose to provide direct services to themselves and their families, such as education and healthcare. Fairtrade also empowers farmers and workers in other ways, whether by opening new and more remunerative markets for small-scale farmers or supporting estate workers’ participation in collective bargaining, so they can strengthen their voice and work with management towards improved wages and working conditions.

Producer Stories

Image

United Nilgiri Tea Estates

A finalist in the International Fairtrade Awards 2020, it has created pension funds for its employees, giving free education and medical services in Tamil Nadu.

Brands that trade fair

Image
Image