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Oxfam Hong Kong brings Fair Trade certified products to Food Expo
THIS economic environment means that Fair Trade products need the support of government, the industry and the private sector more than ever. Although total global sales reached �2.3 billion in 2007 (+47%) and rose 22% to �2.9 billion in 2008, despite the onset of the global recession, further strong growth will improve the lives of hundreds of thousands on marginalized farmers and manufacturers worldwide.
Fair Trade is an effective tool in poverty alleviation as it guarantees fair and stable prices for its manufacturer ; healthy and safe workplaces for the producers; and sustainable development for communities and the environment. This is in line with humanitarian organization Oxfam’s belief of Working with People against Poverty and Oxfam Hong Kong has been promoting Fair Trade since 2006. Today, there are over 50 places selling Fair Trade items in Hong Kong, where sales for such goods from September 2006 to August 2007 is estimated to be at least HK$8.4 million.
Oxfam Hong Kong is supporting five Fair Trade producer groups to join HKTDC Food Expo with a wide range of products – Palestinian olive oil, Filipino specialty snacks, Sri Lankan spices, Thai rice, and Vietnamese tea. Fair trade food producers will be able to meet with registered traders on August 13 and 14, and sell their items to the public on August 15.
Canaan Fairtrade and Palestine Fair Trade Producers Company (PFTPC) launched the first Fair trade certified olive oil in February this year. This product has been very well received by consumers and is also the economic lifeline for the farmers involved in this conflict zone. PFTPC is made up of eight cooperatives consisting of about 265 farmers. The aim is to bring as many growers as possible into the scheme through the registered small farmers’ cooperatives, which includes some 1,700 growers.
Place of Origin: Palestine
Products: Olive Oil, Green Olives, Black Olives
Panay Fair Trade Centre (PFTC) is a women’s association organized in 1991 to links farmer organizations and peasant women groups with urban poor communities through an economic venture where the farmers supply the raw materials and the urban poor women process them into finished products. Some of their specialty snacks, such as the Ginger Chew and organic Banana Chips are extremely popular and are available in small quantities on the Hong Kong market.
Place of Origin: Philippines
Products: Muscovado (Brown Sugar),
Banana Chips, Ginger Chew
Ceylon Organic Spice Exports (Pvt) Ltd aims to improve the economic status of small-scale Sri Lankan farmers who produce organic spices. The farmers receive about 50% more than what they could earn at the market level. Economically disadvantaged women, who are responsible for packaging of the spices, also earn 40% more than the market rate. A common savings fund managed by the family groups is established to help farmers deal with emergencies, such as sudden illness or death, or weather-related home repairs.
Place of Origin: Sri Lanka
Products: Processed Spices (Organic),
Dehydrated Pineapple Rings, Cashew Nuts
Green Net Cooperative is one of the largest organic producers and wholesaler in Thailand. At present, there are over 20 product assortments (e.g. organic vegetables, fruits, rice, teas, cotton etc.) sold through approximately 40 retail outlets in Bangkok and around the country. Besides domestic market, the cooperative exports its fair-trade products to Europe.
Place of Origin: Thailand
Products: Organic Jasmine Rice,
Organic Coconut Milk, Organic Coconut Oil
Betterday Fairtrade and Organic Products produces processes and trades high quality tea and cashew. This company sells bulk and consumer ready products under the “Betteryday” brand and their products are exported and are also available in Vietnamese supermarkets. They are the world’s first brand from a developing country to be licensed by Fairtrade Labeling Organization (FLO).
Place of Origin: Viet Nam
Products: Organic Green Tea, Jasmine Tea,
Black Tea, Cashew Nuts
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