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4.2. Organic & Fair trade

As consumers are becoming more aware of the environmental and social impact of their food choices they are willing to pay premium prices for food that is grown or produced in an ethical and sustainable way. The logos that indicate certified organic or fair trade, like "rainforest alliance" or "bioland" have become household names. The global organic food market share was valued at USD 94.1 billion in 2019. The market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 11.6% until 2027.

Unfair or unethical production methods in far-off places can no longer be concealed, as news spread fast and far these days. Consumers pay attention to and even demand fair, healthy and equitable working conditions for plantation workers, and hold in particular large coorporations accountable. In this way unfair pricing due to exploitation of workers or the environment can hopefully be avoided.

This opens market opportunities for smaller producers and coops, who can brand themselves as co-owned, ecological, and artisan, and still ask for fair prices for their products.

Find the US organic standard here: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-7/subtitle-B/chapter-I/subchapter-M/part-205#205.605