Product Certification

Spirits Program

There are a myriad of regions around the world producing uniquely flavorful Fair Trade Certified food products that can be used as ingredients in distilled beverages, liquors or spirits. Grains, such as quinoa from Bolivia, can be used to make vodka. Coffee from regions like Mexico and Brazil can be used to make liqueurs, and sugar from places like Malawi can be used to make rum. The farmers and workers that grow these ingredients benefit from Fair Trade Certification through a guaranteed minimum price that covers the costs of sustainable production and a social premium, invested in projects for community development. This allows farmers to invest in sustainable production methods and protects the environment. Let's toast to that! As one of our newest and most exciting new categories, Fair Trade Spirits promise to connect Fair Trade with entirely new audiences. Fair Trade USA is still building the foundations for this product so please contact us if you are interested in partnering to discuss the guidelines below.

Featured Producer

ROYAL - Royal for Herbs (Ottoman Group)
Royal Ottoman is a company with a history in tea production and packaging dating back to the nineteenth century. Ottoman was founded in 1906 in the city of Apotik, Egypt. The name of the town, which is in Upper Egypt, comes from the Pharaonic name “...

How Fair Trade Has Made a Difference

Production Investment: The Carton Factory project will offer job opportunities to the employees. The factory will supply Royal with specially designed and decorated cardboard and carton materials for packaging the farm’s herbs.The Carton Factory will provide an extra source of income and will produce high quality products and materials that Royal Ottoman needs.

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Importers

How to import Fair Trade Spirits Ingredients

  • Sign a Fair Trade USA certification and licensing agreement.
  • Pay Fair Trade USA an annual importer fee of $500.
  • Purchase Fair Trade Certified ingredients from Fair Trade producer groups or exporters certified by FLO-Cert. Sell Fair Trade Certified ingredients to other Fair Trade registered traders and operators.
  • Upon purchase from producers, pay at least the Fair Trade minimum price and the designated Fair Trade premium and organic differentials as applicable to the certified cooperative--see the Pricing Database
  • Submit quarterly reports to Fair Trade USA on Fair Trade Certified purchases and sales. Undergo, and comply with, regular desk audits and on-site audits.
Manufacturers and Brands

How to Sell Fair Trade Spirits

  • Sign a Fair Trade USA certification and licensing agreement.
  • Purchase Fair Trade Certified ingredients from a registered importer.
  • Submit a product profile application for each product to be labeled.
  • Submit all packaging, sales and marketing material carrying the Fair Trade Certified logo to Fair Trade USA for approval.
  • Submit quarterly reports to Fair Trade USA on Fair Trade Certified purchases and sales. Undergo, and comply with, regular desk audits and on-site audits.
  • Brands pay a fee based on quarterly sales of labeled Fair Trade Certified products.
  • Please ask about our program for small-scale partners, as lower fees and reporting requirements apply.
  • Please note: For composite products with more than one ingredient, all ingredients that can be Fair Trade Certified should be Fair Trade Certified. For example, in spiced rum, the sugar and spices should all be sourced from Fair Trade Certified producers.