Fair Trade Products in Korea: Meaning and Impact

-

There used to be a cafe I visited often. It looked ordinary from the outside, and one corner sold simple snacks like dried fruits. I didn’t think there was anything special about it—until I started working for a media outlet covering social economy, and discovered that the cafe actually served “Beautiful Coffee”, a fair trade coffee brand.

 

That’s when I realized that many of the coffee, snacks, and even sugar I use in daily life are fair trade products. I thought, “Oh, I’ve been using fair trade products quite a lot without even realizing it.”

 

What Is Fair Trade?

Fair trade is a system that helps producers in developing countries receive fair compensation and produce products sustainably. It doesn’t just guarantee prices; it also supports social value creation through education, healthcare, community development, and environmental protection.

 

In 2023, I had the chance to meet producers at a fair trade cooperative event. They told me, “Thanks to fair trade, our children can go to college.” That was when I truly realized that fair trade isn’t just a transaction—it has a real, positive impact on the lives of producers.

 

Fair trade salt sold by the social enterprise Earthman. This is one of the products I personally enjoy a lot. (Photo source: Earthman website)

Fair Trade in Korea

Recently, consumers in Korea have been paying more attention to sustainability and social value. Fair trade products encourage people to think about the impact of their consumption on society and the environment. Some people even seek them out simply because of their quality.

 

Many social economy enterprises in Korea offer fair trade products. Representative examples include:

 

✅Beautiful Coffee: Fair trade coffee

✅Fair Trade Korea: Fashion, cosmetics, bags, etc.

✅Earthman: Dried fruits, salt, fabrics & accessories, etc.

 

There are also many other social economy enterprises providing fair trade products, aiming to address poverty among producers in developing countries and promote sustainable consumption. Combined with each company leader’s philosophy, these enterprises realize social value in various ways.

 

Fair Trade Is More Than Just Consumption

Many people might be using fair trade products without realizing it. With a little attention, you can see how close fair trade is to daily life.

 

Choosing fair trade products is not just an act for society and the planet—it’s also an act for yourself. The CEO of Earthman said, “Don’t feel burdened by fair trade. Choose what makes you happy in your daily life.”

 

By simply choosing a product, you can contribute to a sustainable consumption culture that considers producers and the environment, while also increasing your own satisfaction.

 

Small Choices, Big Impact

I hope everyone reading this will start exploring fair trade products today. Small choices can create positive change for producers, the environment, and society as a whole.


Comments

Post a Comment

Most Viewed Posts

BTS Suga’s Quiet Act of Kindness Inspired Korea

-
Image
  This past June, one news article set Korea abuzz. BTS member Suga donated 5 billion Korean won (approximately $3.64 million USD) to establish the "Min Yoon-gi Treatment Center" for children with autism spectrum disorder. Another article followed, sharing that BTS’s global fanbase, ARMY, had also joined the donation efforts. Witnessing this powerful wave of goodwill move Korean society brought a lump to my throat.   The truth is, people with developmental disabilities are rarely seen in everyday life in Korea. Or more accurately, it’s rare to visibly encounter people with disabilities in general. They are everywhere, yet seemingly nowhere. Most often, they remain at home, in care facilities, or within institutions.   While discussing ‘Suga’s donation’ with my husband, he shared his first experience meeting a person with developmental disabilities. Several years ago, his company needed printed booklets and placed an order through a company found online. A young ma...
Read more

Social Finance: The Flow of Money That Changes Society

-
Image
  Why Social Finance ? Traditionally, finance has focused on maximizing profits. However, as social issues like climate change , inequality , aging populations , and regional decline intensify, there is a growing global movement to use capital to address these problems. Amid this shift, the concept of Social Finance has emerged. What is Social Finance?   When I first heard the term social finance, the first question that came to mind was “How is it different from conventional finance ?”   The answer is straightforward. Social finance is not just about generating profit; it aims to simultaneously solve social problems and expand social value.   In other words, social finance considers both financial returns and social/environmental impact, setting it apart from traditional finance.   Types of Social Finance   Social finance can be broadly categorized into four types 👉 Inclusive Finance : Financial services for vulnerable or underserved ...
Read more

A Festival with the Community: Highlights from the 2nd Incheon Social Economy Fair

-
Image
The 2nd Incheon Social Economy Fair (Photo by Milly)    A Celebration of Social Economy in Incheon   From September 27 to 28, the 2nd Incheon Social Economy Fair was held at the Incheon SangSang Platform . The fair featured a wide variety of programs, including an opening ceremony, insight competition, awards for outstanding social value enterprises, talk concerts, and case presentations from businesses that had benefited from support programs. Visitors also enjoyed the lively Social Plus Market , where they could purchase products from social economy enterprises.   The venue was bustling with 31 sales booths, 18 experience zones, and 10 promotional booths, along with one-day classes and consultation spaces. With so many hands-on programs, the fair was full of energy and participation.   Opening ceremony of the 2nd Incheon Social Economy Expo (Photo by Milly)  A Special Encounter: Cafe Grandma   Among the many booths, I stopped by Cafe ...
Read more