noun

fair trade

fair TRAYD

Fair trade (noun) means a movement and system of trading in which producers in poorer countries are paid a guaranteed minimum price and better terms for their goods, with standards checked by a certifying body. Example: “The café buys only coffee sold through fair trade.”

noun

A movement and system of trading in which producers in poorer countries are paid a guaranteed minimum price and better terms for their goods, with standards checked by a certifying body.

"The café buys only coffee sold through fair trade."

"Fair trade now covers cocoa, bananas, cotton and tea as well as coffee."

formal Trade conducted on terms considered just or evenly balanced between countries or parties.

"Ministers said they wanted free trade, but fair trade above all."

adjective

Produced or sold under such an arrangement.

"A bar of fair-trade chocolate costs a little more."

"They stock fair-trade bananas as standard."

How to use fair trade

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishGoods bought from farmers in poorer countries at a guaranteed decent price.

When to use it

Neutral; hyphenate before a noun (fair-trade coffee) and leave open as a noun (sold through fair trade).

Memory tip

'Ethically sourced' is a marketing phrase with no fixed standard behind it; fair-trade certification does have one.

Easily confused with

Fairtrade free trade ethically sourced organic →

Common pairings

fair-trade coffee fair-trade certified fair trade movement fair-trade premium

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Test yourself on “fair trade” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The café buys only coffee sold through _____.

Antonyms

free trade

Rhymes for fair trade

Ade made jade wade fade sade Bade Cade Dade trade blade spade

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Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between fair trade and free trade?

Free trade is about removing tariffs and barriers so goods move without restriction, letting the market set prices. Fair trade deliberately intervenes in that market, setting a price floor and a social premium so that small producers are not squeezed by it. They are competing ideas about what an open market does to the weakest suppliers.

What is the difference between fair trade and Fairtrade?

Fair trade, two words, is the general movement and idea. Fairtrade as one capitalised word is a specific certification mark, and only products meeting that scheme's standards may carry its logo.

Does fair trade actually help farmers?

Research finds real but modest gains: certified farmers generally get a more stable price and their co-operatives receive a premium for community projects. Critics point out that certification costs money, that not all certified crop sells at fair-trade prices, and that the poorest labourers may not be the ones benefiting.

What is the meaning of fair trade?

"fair trade" (noun) means a movement and system of trading in which producers in poorer countries are paid a guaranteed minimum price and better terms for their goods, with standards checked by a certifying body.