Camino Fair Trade Cocoa and Fair Trade Facts
Currently, there are approximately 14 million people around the world directly involved in the annual production of over 6 billion pounds of cocoa.
The cocoa market, dominated by a few large companies, has fluctuated wildly in the last few years going from a 27 year low in 2000 (US $714 per metric ton - MT) to a 16 year high in September 2002 (US $2,200/MT)
Despite the is dramatice price increase in 2002, there are few guarantees that small farmers have benefited greatly from the situation. This is because 90% of the world's cocoa is grown on small family farms tht lack the bargaining power to
negotiate fair prices with local traders.
Certified fair trade organic cocoa guarantees that farmers are able to cover their costs of production via a minimum 'floor price' of US $1950/MT. Moreover, when the world price exceeds this minimum 'floor price', the fair trade certification system ensures that
farmers receive a social premium (US $150/MT) and an organic premium (US $200/MT) thus enabling them to invest in and plan for their future.
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