The Fairtrade minimum price
The Fairtrade minimum price is the minimum price that a buyer of
Fairtrade products has to pay to a Producer Organisation for their
product. It is not a fixed price, but should be seen as the lowest
possible starting point for price negotiations between producer and
purchaser. It is set at a level which ensures that Producer
Organisations receive a price which covers the cost of sustainable
production for their product. This means it also acts as a safety net
for farmers at times when world markets fall below a sustainable level.
However, when the market price is higher than the Fairtrade minimum,
the buyer must pay the market price. Producers and traders can also
negotiate a higher price, for example on the basis of quality, and for
some products, FLO also sets different prices for organic crops, or for
particular grades of produce.
The standards also allow
producers to request partial pre-payment of the contract. This is
important for small-scale farmers’ organisations as it ensures they
have the cash flow to pay farmers at the time they deliver their crop.
Buyers are also required to enter into long-term trading relationships
so that producers can predict their income and plan for the future.
How is the minimum price set?
Fairtrade minimum prices are set by the Standards Unit at FLO following research into producers’ costs of sustainable production and consultation with traders and other stakeholders. The Fairtrade premium, is a sum paid in addition to the Fairtrade minimum price.
Do all products have minimum prices?
For most products, including coffee, cocoa, tea and bananas, the standards set a Fairtrade minimum price that covers the costs of sustainable production. Other products such as sportsballs and flowers don’t necessarily have a minimum price because they are traded in a different way. For these products, a price must be negotiated that covers the costs of sustainable production.