7 Reasons to Choose Fairtrade Bananas
Bananas are one of the most popular fruits in the world, but do you know how they are grown and who benefits from their trade? In this article, we will explore the benefits of choosing Fairtrade bananas for farmers, workers, consumers and the environment.
Key Takeaways
Fairtrade bananas guarantee a fair price for producers and an extra income for community projects.
Fairtrade bananas improve working conditions and protect workers’ rights on plantations.
Fairtrade bananas support small-scale farmers and empower them in the supply chain.
Fairtrade bananas encourage environmentally friendly farming practices that reduce the use of agrochemicals and protect natural resources.
Fairtrade bananas raise consumer awareness and ethical consumption that contribute to global development goals.
1. Fairtrade bananas guarantee a fair price for producers
Banana growers face many challenges, such as low and unstable prices, high production costs, climate change and plant diseases. To protect them from these risks, Fairtrade sets a minimum price that covers the cost of sustainable production and acts as a safety net when market prices fall. This helps banana producers to earn a decent income and plan for the future.
2. Fairtrade bananas provide an extra income for community projects
On top of the minimum price, Fairtrade banana producers receive an additional sum of money called the Fairtrade Premium. This is democratically invested in business or social projects of their choice, such as improving infrastructure, health care, education, housing or environmental protection. For example, the El Guabo cooperative in Ecuador used the Premium to build schools, clinics and water systems for their members and workers.
3. Fairtrade bananas improve working conditions and protect workers’ rights
Most of the export bananas are grown on large plantations where workers often face poor and unsafe working conditions, low wages, discrimination and harassment. Fairtrade standards ensure that workers have decent employment contracts, protective equipment, freedom of association, collective bargaining rights and access to grievance mechanisms. Moreover, Fairtrade introduced a Base Wage in 2021 that is a significant step towards a living wage for thousands of banana plantation workers worldwide.
4. Fairtrade bananas support small-scale farmers and empower them in the supply chain
About 20% of the world’s bananas are grown by small-scale farmers who own their own land and rely on family labor. However, they often have little bargaining power in the banana supply chain that is dominated by large multinationals and retailers. Fairtrade helps these farmers to organize themselves into cooperatives, access credit and markets, improve their productivity and quality, and diversify their income sources.
5. Fairtrade bananas encourage environmentally friendly farming practices
Banana production can have negative impacts on the environment, such as soil erosion, water pollution, deforestation and biodiversity loss. Fairtrade standards promote sustainable agriculture that minimizes the use of agrochemicals, protects natural resources, adapts to climate change and enhances soil fertility. For example, Equal Exchange, a Fairtrade banana importer in the US, works with organic banana cooperatives in Peru and Ecuador that use composting, mulching and intercropping to maintain healthy ecosystems.
6. Fairtrade bananas raise consumer awareness and ethical consumption
By choosing Fairtrade bananas, consumers can make a difference in the lives of the farmers and workers behind this favorite fruit. Fairtrade labels inform consumers about the origin, quality and impact of their purchases, and encourage them to support ethical trade that respects human rights and the environment. Fairtrade also educates consumers about the challenges and opportunities in the banana sector through campaigns, events and online platforms.
7. Fairtrade bananas contribute to global development goals
By improving the social, economic and environmental conditions of banana producers and workers, Fairtrade contributes to several of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), such as ending poverty and hunger, ensuring decent work and health, promoting gender equality and climate action, and strengthening partnerships for development.
Tips
- To keep your bananas fresh longer, store them at room temperature away from direct sunlight and other fruits that emit ethylene gas, such as apples and tomatoes.
- To ripen your bananas faster, place them in a paper bag with an apple or a tomato, or wrap them in foil and bake them in the oven for 15 minutes at 300°F.
- To use your overripe bananas, you can make delicious recipes such as banana bread, muffins, pancakes, smoothies or ice cream.
- To avoid wasting your banana peels, you can use them as natural fertilizers for your plants, as compost for your garden, or as ingredients for homemade beauty products such as face masks or hair treatments.
- To enjoy the health benefits of bananas, eat one or two a day as a snack or as part of your breakfast. Bananas are rich in potassium, fiber, vitamin C and antioxidants that can lower your blood pressure, improve your digestion, boost your immune system and prevent cramps.
Fairtrade Bananas: A Growing Industry
Bananas are one of the most popular fruits in the world, with shoppers spending more than £10 billion a year on them globally. However, the banana trade is also plagued by many social and environmental challenges, such as low wages, poor working conditions, human rights violations, and environmental degradation. That’s why Fairtrade bananas are a growing alternative that aims to ensure fair prices, decent livelihoods, and sustainable production for banana farmers and workers.
The Global Demand for Fairtrade Bananas
According to Fairtrade America, the area of Fairtrade banana production has increased to 115,860 acres to satisfy the growing appetite for fair trade bananas. Colombia, Dominican Republic, and Ecuador were the largest suppliers of Fairtrade bananas for the United States in 2020, accounting for 32%, 25%, and 23% of the market share respectively. Sales of organic Fairtrade bananas have grown faster than conventional bananas, increasing by 25% between 2019 and 2020.
The demand for Fairtrade bananas is also driven by consumer preferences and awareness. A survey by The Packer found that 70% of consumers cite sustainability as their #1 or #2 priority when making a purchase. Another survey by IBM Research Insights revealed that 71% of consumers indicated that traceability is very important to them and that they are willing to pay a premium for brands that provide it. Moreover, Fairtrade shoppers are willing to pay 43% more per pound for bananas to ensure farmers and workers were paid a fair price.
The Benefits of Fairtrade Bananas for Producers and Workers
Fairtrade bananas offer many benefits for producers and workers in the banana sector. One of the main benefits is the Fairtrade Minimum Price, which is a tool to protect farmers in volatile markets and cover their costs of production. In 2020, the Fairtrade Minimum Price for conventional bananas was $0.40 per kg and for organic bananas was $0.50 per kg.
Another benefit is the Fairtrade Premium, which is an additional amount of money paid on top of the selling price that goes to a communal fund for farmers and workers to invest in projects of their choice. In 2020, Fairtrade Premium earnings for banana producers and workers grew by 9% and topped over $700,000. The Fairtrade Premium can be used for various purposes, such as improving productivity, quality, infrastructure, education, health care, or environmental protection.
A third benefit is the Fairtrade Base Wage, which is a new requirement introduced in December 2020 for workers on banana plantations. The Fairtrade Base Wage is set at a minimum of 70% of the take-home pay needed for a living wage, which has been established by the Global Living Wage Coalition. The Base Wage is unique among certifications and will bolster security and stability for many workers on banana plantations. The changes mean wages will increase by up to 15% for thousands of workers in origins where workers were earning less than the Fairtrade Base Wage, such as West Africa and Mexico.
Fairtrade bananas are a growing industry that responds to the global demand for more sustainable and ethical products. By choosing Fairtrade bananas, consumers can support banana farmers and workers in improving their livelihoods, working conditions, and environmental practices. Fairtrade bananas are not only good for people and the planet, but also good for business.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the difference between organic and conventional bananas?
A: Organic bananas are grown without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers, while conventional bananas may use these chemicals to control pests and diseases. Organic farming is better for the environment and human health, but it may also have lower yields and higher costs than conventional farming.
Q: How can I tell if a banana is Fairtrade certified?
A: Look for the green and blue Fairtrade Mark on the banana peel or on the packaging. This means that the banana meets the social, economic and environmental standards set by Fairtrade International.
Q: Where do Fairtrade bananas come from?
A: Fairtrade bananas are grown in over 15 countries across Latin America, Africa and Asia. The main producing countries are Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador and Peru.
Q: How much more do Fairtrade bananas cost than regular bananas?
A: The price difference between Fairtrade and regular bananas varies depending on the market, the retailer and the season. However, Fairtrade bananas are usually only a few cents more per pound than regular bananas, and the extra cost goes directly to the producers and workers who grow them.
Q: How can I support Fairtrade banana producers and workers?
A: The best way to support Fairtrade banana producers and workers is to buy Fairtrade bananas whenever you can. You can also spread the word about Fairtrade and its impact, join campaigns and events, donate to Fairtrade organizations, or contact your local retailer and ask them to stock more Fairtrade products.
References:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/inatl/daily/march99/clinton11.htm
http://usleap.org/banana-unions-launch-initiative-against-chiquita
https://www.fairtrade.net/product/bananas
https://www.fairtradeamerica.org/shop-fairtrade/fairtrade-products/bananas-produce/
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