“Fairtrade flowers are fair for everyone”

As Mother ’s Day approaches , blossom shops and retailers around the world prepare for one of the meddling time of the class . But behind every vibrant bouquet lies a deeper story , one that keep fair wage , secure working conditions , and deal for the environment . Fairtrade International is help ensure that the beauty of heyday extend to the sprightliness of the mass who originate them . FloralDaily sat down with Gonzaga Mungai , Flower Manager , South , at Fairtrade International , to research the roots of the Fairtrade movement , how Fairtrade certificate is create positive change in the flower industry , and why Fairtrade flowers are a giving that gives twice .

Gonzaga Mungai

How it all beganFairtrade labelling began in the 1980s . " It started in reply to the struggles of Mexican coffee tree farmers after the prostration of world coffee price . This terms crash was a major factor in the launching of the first Fairtrade enfranchisement label , set up by a Dutch development means . The first ' Fairtrade ' coffee from Mexico was sell in Dutch supermarkets in 1989 . It was brandmark ' Max Havelaar ' , after a fictitious Dutch fibre who opposed the exploitation of coffee selector in Dutch colony . And since then , Fairtrade has expand to encompass a wide chain of products , including flowers and industrial plant , and a number of projects and initiatives that take to meliorate the lives of disadvantaged farmers and workers across supplying Sir Ernst Boris Chain . "

Fairtrade certified , what it meansFairtrade aims for sustainable development and comely trade , specially in developing land . The focusing is on average prices , nice workings conditions for workers , environmental auspices , and the Fairtrade Premium that is used to gain workers and their communities , Mungai explains . But what does Fairtrade certify really entail ? " If a producer organisation or trader is Fairtrade certify , it think that our independent certifier Flocert has checked that the Fairtrade Standards that admit social , economic , and environmental requirements are being meet . Flocert can freeze or derecognise a producer constitution or dealer when inwardness necessary are violated . However , the focus is on giving Fairtrade producers the opportunity to address any issues or problems and improve over time . "

Fairtrade PremiumFairtrade Premium is what sets Fairtrade apart , he suppose . " The Premium is an extra aggregate of money on top of the stem price that worker can invest in any way of life they choose . This could include necessary such as health care , education , and caparison , as well as developing businesses and local projects . According to the late data , in 2023 Fairtrade certify flower and plant farms earned more than € 7.3 million in Premium . This means that more than 75,000 workers and their community benefit from these funds . A late Fairtrade survey found that peak workers in Kenya received around € 107 Charles Frederick Worth of economic benefits per year through the Fairtrade Premium . These benefit are a considerable economic support , in particular for women worker , who often have lower earnings than man . With flower workers ' salaries average around € 895 per year , the Premium supports workers who earn below the living wage bench mark of € 2,808 . So , by choosing to author flower on Fairtrade terms , retailer and flower buyers are get to more blossom workers with much - require economical and social benefit thanks to the Fairtrade Premium , but they are also helping workers free up more of their wages to be used for other crucial spending . It ’s a win - winnings . "

" Proud of our progress"Navigating a complex spherical supply mountain range presents no deficit of challenge , yet Fairtrade remains steadfast in its mission to drive positive change . The system takes pridefulness in the tread made so far , " accomplishment that are only possible thanks to the cryptical collaboration across its value strand , from producers and worker to retailers and consumer , " say Mungai .

He and his squad are peculiarly majestic of Fairtrade ’s impact on workers ' liveliness through good working conditions and through the impact made possible by Fairtrade Premium , where worker invest in enterprise that land substantial , lasting transmutation to their lives and community . " A classic example is the Naivasha Women ’s Hospital , now the secondly - largest maternal referral infirmary in Kenya . The workers in Naivasha ’s flower growing region of Kenya invested their Premium funds and helped progress the hospital ’s enate offstage . enterprise like this are only possible thanks to our dedicated global net of retailer , Fairtrade certified producer , and bargainer . "

" As a member of the Global Living Wage Coalition , Fairtrade has also been a trailblazer in living salary work , where we are developing living earnings benchmark , increasing awareness , and urge for fair recompense across various supply chains . One central putz in our Fairtrade Standards is the Floor Wage requirement , introduced in 2019 for state without sphere minimum wages . This provision helps protect workers from falling below the poorness line , and it has led to wage increment of 33 to 120 percent in countries like Uganda and Ethiopia where it was first carry out . "

" Through our Fairtrade producer connection , we maintain a strong presence in Fairtrade flower producing nation . This enable us to provide direct supporting to certified producers and workers to address the most prominent risks in the supply Sir Ernst Boris Chain . It has also countenance us to implement pioneering programmes on grammatical gender equality and workers ' rights , initiatives that go beyond certification to encourage sustainable keep and becoming work in the floriculture sector . "

At Panda Flowers , a Fairtrade certify grower in Kenya .

likely for growthSince launching in 2002 , Fairtrade Flowers are now usable in 14 markets across Europe . The ware variety has also grown from traditional single stem standard rose to various flower type , such as lilies and carnations , assorted bouquets , and potted plants . According to Mungai , the market has remained unchanging in recent years , regulate by post - pandemic realities and economical challenges in European markets , like inflation and the state of war in Ukraine . " Meanwhile , the number of Fairtrade attest grower has steadily increased , which means the balance of volumes being sell on Fairtrade full term per farm is declining . According to our previous data , Fairtrade producer sell some 920 million Fairtrade peak , representing about 21 percent of full flower volumes they bring out . " Nevertheless , he realise tremendous potential for growth inform by high consumer awareness of the Fairtrade label . " We are partner with more retailer to store Fairtrade flowers and promote them to offer a wide variety of flowers . We also encourage consumers to choose Fairtrade Flowers this Mother ’s Day , knowing they are grown by actor on farm committed to fairness and sustainability . "

Fairtrade flowers for Mother ’s DayIn less than a month , Mother ’s Day will be celebrated in many countries . And Mungai bear that more and more more buyers will prefer Fairtrade flowers . " People are more conscious of their choice on the social and environmental story . Our Standards are in pipeline with International Labour Organization conventions , which means doer can link a union and that safe is a priority . Plus , Fairtrade flowers also have a humbled environmental footmark because our Standards also require irrigation with reduced weewee consumption , stern waste direction , and esteem for biodiversity . And extremely toxic pesticide and GMOs are also prohibited . "

" When choose Fairtrade flowers , you are choosing more than a beautiful bouquet , " Mungai stresses . " It is a selection to aid ensure that flower farm workers are treated with lordliness , paid fairly , and assisted in create meaningful variety in their biotic community . It is a small gesture of dearest that carries a big wallop — one bloom at a metre . "

For more selective information : Fairtrade Internationalwww.fairtrade.net