Fairtrade International increases budget share on direct services for producers

Fairtrade International released its 2011 Annual report on 4 September, showing increased spending on direct producer programs. The organisation reported that 47 per cent of its expenditure was on these programs, representing by far the largest share of its spending, up from 42 per cent in 2010.  The organisation saw its total income grow by around US$2.6 million in 2011 to $19.9 million. Fairtrade International receives half its income from membership fees, with the remainder made up mainly from grants.  Other highlights of the 2011 report, entitled “For Producers, With Producers” include an overview of the historic decision to increase producer representation in the General Assembly to 50 per cent, including the appointment of producer representative Marike de Peña as Vice Chair.  The organisation reported that 78 per cent of Fairtrade minimum prices and premiums have been revised in the last three years. In 2011, Fairtrade International reviewed their coffee premium, which was doubled to 20 US cents per pound. In 2011, around US$36.3 million was paid to coffee producers in the form of this Fairtrade Premium.  Shoppers around the world have spent around US$6.2 billion on Fairtrade products in 2011, a 10 per cent increase over 2010.  Latin America continues to be the main source of Fairtrade coffee. However, the report notes that around half of new applicants are from Africa and Asia.  The full report can be download from the organisation's web site <<www.fairtrade.net>>