The map covers people- and planet-related risks – and associated root causes (such as poverty, inequality and exploitation) – presented by the production of commodities like bananas, cocoa, coffee, honey and wine grapes, with more products to be added in the coming months.
It outlines the issues that currently affect the 129 countries where Fairtrade operates, including human concerns, such as gender rights, living wage and forced labour, and environmental matters, such as water, biodiversity and climate change.
The framework is applicable to products and their related origin countries in all supply chains – not exclusively those that are Fairtrade-certified. This means all farmers and companies can address these risks and causes.
“The risk map can facilitate a transparent dialogue between supply chain actors and help companies in building effective responses to address the greatest risks, avoiding further harm to farming communities and the planet,” said Marike de Peña, president of the Fairtrade Producer Network for Latin America and the Caribbean.
With agriculture demanding 70% of freshwater withdrawals globally, and one in five employed people living in poverty (Fairtrade, 2023), initiatives like this are crucial to establish a more sustainable and equitable food and beverage industry.
