Making a difference in West Africa

Fairtrade International published a report earlier in the year entitled ‘Fairtrade cocoa in West Africa’, which shows positive effects of Fairtrade for cocoa farmers in the region.

The report reveals Fairtrade certified cocoa farmer organisations recognise the importance of investing the Fairtrade Premium into improving their businesses. Producer organisations in West Africa, on average, chose to spend 36 per cent of their Fairtrade Premium on projects to increase their productivity and the quality of their cocoa – far above Fairtrade International’s suggested 25 per cent minimum.

The Fairtrade Premium is also used by farmers for social projects, such as rebuilding schools, building wells for drinking water, and supporting diversification in order to increase income, for example through making soap and palm oil, and milling corn.