This guide provides an overview on Fair Trade in Singapore, compiled by Jared Tham.

2. Introduction
• While the Fair Trade movement
has taken off most notably in the
UK and US, its presence in
Singapore has room for growth.
• The majority of Fair Trade
products arrive in supermarkets
and shopping centres Café Direct,
Marks & Spencers & Cedele.
• A smaller though significant
percentage arrive through the
“organic backdoor”, in products
that have double certification.

3. Why Fair Trade?
A decent living
wage
Farmers & producer groups are usually paid a
fraction of the eventual sale price of a product.
Protect the
environment
Farmers implement integrated crop management
and avoid the use of toxic agrochemicals for pest
management.
Sustainable
community
development
Farmers’ and workers organisations receive a
‘social premium’ to invest back in their
communities. This can be used to improve health
services, provide medical supplies, build schools,
and provide education for children.

4. Why Fair Trade?
Access to
international
markets
Fair Trade helps producers to gain a better
understanding international markets, providing
them with contacts and resources to present
their products at international fairs.
Ensuring
labour rights
Through cooperatives and trade unions, workers
are better able to defend their rights. Children
are not exploited.
Reduce
harmful
addictions
Provide farmers with economically viable
alternatives to the growing of coca and opium
poppies, the raw materials for cocaine and
heroin. (according to TransFair USA)

5. Is it a fair price?

6. The various trademarks

7. Community Trade vs. Fair Trade
• The Body Shop has been running
their community trade scheme
since 1986, longer than the Fair
Trade concept itself.
• So while its products are ‘fairly
traded’ (as opposed to Fairtrade),
as big name brands go, it’s done
much more than any of its
competitors, with its far-reaching
codes of conduct and extensive
reporting on its own social and
environmental practices.

8. Rainforest Alliance vs. Fair Trade
• Rainforest Alliance is used by McDonald’s in Singapore.
From the Organic Consumers Association:
www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_18372.cfm

9. Fair Trade vs. Ethically Traded
• While both terms are
widely used, they are not
interchangeable. The main
difference between the
two terms is that one is
independently certified.
• Starbucks sells “ethically
traded coffee”, and just one
blend of Fairtrade coffee
(Café Estima) by the bag.

10. Associations & Networks
• Singapore does not yet have a
National Initiative to look
after the promotion and
development of Fair Trade in
the county.
• However, the community-run
Fair Trade SG network
connects Fair Trade
businesses and ethical
consumers, and provides
updates on the development
of Fair Trade and helps
organise FT events.

11. Fair Trade companies

12. Discussion

13. Fair Trade Coffee & Tea

14. Fair Trade products in supermarkets

15. Other Fair Trade products