Product Certification

Sugar Program

Fair Trade certification means that sugar cane farmers receive a fair price for their harvest. Fair Trade creates direct trade links between farmer-owned cooperatives and buyers, and provides access to affordable credit. Farmers and their families are earning a better income for their hard work, holding on to their land, keeping their kids in school, and investing in the quality of their harvest. On Fair Trade farms, producers adhere to strict standards regarding the use and handling of pesticides, the protection of natural waters, virgin forest and other ecosystems, and the management of erosion and waste. Selling at Fair Trade prices enables small sugar farmers to pay for organic certification and training in sustainable agriculture techniques. Fair Trade Certified cane sugar can be used in a wide variety of food, beverage and beauty products. Since 2005, consumers in the United States have continued to deliver tremendous impact to cane sugar growing families and communities across Latin America, Africa and Asia.

Contact Us to learn more about the Sugar Program

Featured Producer

COOP ARROYO - Cooperativa El Arroyense
This Paraguayan cooperative was founded on November 18, 1989 to help small producers find markets for their products and avoid dependency on low-paying intermediaries. Most farmers, in addition to sugarcane, produce fruits and vegetables –oranges,...

How Fair Trade Has Made a Difference

Healthcare: Portions of the Fair Trade premium are used to help cover members’ medical expenses –consultations, major surgeries and operations, and ambulance use for example. These services are also extended to members’ spouses and children.

Read More

Importers

How to Import Fair Trade Sugar

  • Sign a Fair Trade USA certification and licensing agreement.
  • Pay Fair Trade USA an annual importer fee of $500.
  • Purchase Fair Trade Certified sugar from Fair Trade cooperatives, producer groups or exporters certified by FLO-Cert. Sell Fair Trade Certified sugar to other Fair Trade registered traders and operators.
  • Pay the designated Fair Trade premium to the certified cooperative--see the Pricing Database
  • Submit quarterly reports to Fair Trade USA on Fair Trade Certified imports and sales. Undergo, and comply with, regular desk audits and on-site audits.
  • Note: Importers who also sell their own branded, consumer packaged sugar must also pay a flat fee per pound of Fair Trade Certified sugar sold.
Manufacturers and Brands

How to Sell Fair Trade Sugar

  • Sign a Fair Trade USA certification and licensing agreement.
  • Purchase Fair Trade Certified sugar 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 on Fair Trade Certified sugar purchases and product sales. Undergo, and comply with, regular desk audits and on-site audits.
  • Brands using sugar as an ingredient in their composite products pay a fee based on quarterly sales of labeled Fair Trade Certified products.
  • Brands selling consumer packaged sugar directly to consumers as a finished product pay a flat fee per pound.
  • 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 a chocolate bar, the cane sugar, cocoa and vanilla should all be sourced from Fair Trade Certified producers. Processed formats and byproducts may also be eligible for certification. For example, molasses and/or rum sourced from Fair Trade Certified producers may be eligible for Fair Trade labeling.

Downloads

application/pdf iconSugar_Impact_Report.pdf
application/pdf iconFT_FAQ_CaneSugar.pdf