Fair trade protects against poverty: Misereor

Too many of the people who produce our food cannot support themselves and their families with this work. We call for fair rules and prices along the entire supply chain.

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Fair Trade is the answer to unjust world trade. Living wages, fair prices and decent working conditions help to improve the situation of disadvantaged people worldwide. Additional premiums for community projects can be invested in education, health or the conversion to organic farming. Over 2.5 million small producers, employees and their families are already benefiting from this.

As consumers, we also have a say in the living and working conditions of millions of people. Nobody should receive a wage that cannot feed their family or send their children to school. With our daily purchasing decisions, we can decide for ourselves what value we place on good labour.

Together with a broad alliance, Misereor is calling for binding rules that stop unfair trade practices and enable farmers to earn a fair, living income.

More than 2.5 million small farmers and workers in over 70 countries already benefit from fair trade.

Many cocoa farmers in Côte d'Ivoire rely on their children to help them work in the fields. Our partner organisation INADES supports an association of cocoa farmers that gives them and their families better prospects for the future.

Test your knowledge of unfair trading practices now.

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Wilfried Wunden

Fair Trade

Telephone: +49 241 442268
E-mail: fairerhandel@misereor.de

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If the children understand what the learning content has to do with their own lives, their motivation immediately increases.

India: Effectively combating child labour

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Peru | Bolivia: Organic farming in the Andes

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Worship resources for Fair Week 2026 – The Diversity of Creation

Women in Agriculture
Women around the world make a significant contribution to food security – often…

Women in Agriculture
Women around the world make a significant contribution to food security – often unseen and under difficult conditions. We invite you to recognise the value of their work and to consciously fulfil our responsibility towards creation.

Publishers: Brot für die Welt, Misereor, Kindernothilfe, Kindermissionswerk Die Sternsinger, kfd
Year of publication: 2026
Number of pages: 13

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Women in Agriculture
Women around the world make a significant contribution to food security – often unseen and under difficult conditions. We invite you to recognise the value of their work and to consciously fulfil our responsibility towards creation.

Publishers: Brot für die Welt, Misereor, Kindernothilfe, Kindermissionswerk Die Sternsinger, kfd
Year of publication: 2026
Number of pages: 13

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Market power and its consequences: antitrust reform perspectives for agricultural supply chains

This study analyses the concentration trends in the food sector and develops proposals on how these…

This study analyses the concentration trends in the food sector and develops proposals on how these can be curbed, particularly by means of antitrust law.

Publisher: Rebalance Now e.V., Misereor e.V.
Year of publication: 2026
Number of pages: 52

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This study analyses the concentration trends in the food sector and develops proposals on how these can be curbed, particularly by means of antitrust law.

Publisher: Rebalance Now e.V., Misereor e.V.
Year of publication: 2026
Number of pages: 52

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An appeal to the Federal Government! Political solutions for the crisis in agriculture and food

In…

An appeal to the Federal Government! Political solutions for the crisis in agriculture and food

In the position paper, more than 30 organisations call on the German government to use agroecology to provide answers to the multiple crises of our time. For resilient, democratic and climate-friendly food systems.

Publisher: Misereor, Inkota, Fian [et al]
Year of publication: 2026
Pages: 16

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An appeal to the Federal Government! Political solutions for the crisis in agriculture and food

In the position paper, more than 30 organisations call on the German government to use agroecology to provide answers to the multiple crises of our time. For resilient, democratic and climate-friendly food systems.

Publisher: Misereor, Inkota, Fian [et al]
Year of publication: 2026
Pages: 16

More information Less information

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More publications

All articles on the topic

We have been committed to fair trade from the very beginning: as a founding member of Fairtrade Deutschland e. V. and founding shareholder of GEPA - The Fair Trade Company, we have supported fair trade networks since their inception.

More about the history of fair trade

Find out how everyone in the community can support Fair Trade.

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In northern Peru, small farmers grow coffee, cocoa and sugar cane. They receive very little money for this on the world market. Fair Trade enables them to receive reasonable prices for their harvest.

Learn more

Fair from the start! Misereor and Fair Trade

Petition: Agriculture needs fairness

More justice through Fair Trade

Good work is worth more

Unfair, but allowed?

Wilfried Wunden

Related projects

India: Effectively combating child labour

Peru | Bolivia: Organic farming in the Andes

Related publications

Worship resources for Fair Week 2026 – The Diversity of Creation

Market power and its consequences: antitrust reform perspectives for agricultural supply chains

Into the future with agroecology

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Further information

Fair from the start

Fair activities in the community

Fair coffee

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