Fair Trade exists due to the lack of accountability, traceability and reliability in the traditional market. It emerged in response to market volatility, and low and uncertain commodity prices. Such instability may not always be realized on the consumer end, but producers very often face huge consequences.
It exists because producers face an array of challenges:
- Access to markets is very often a central barrier. This is very often due to location, lack of transport, or simply lack of capacity. As a result, many producers are forced to sell to middle-men, and earn less-than-market-value for their goods.
- Access to information about global market pricing
- Access to tools, resources and the skills needed to navigate the complex web of international trade