Tea & Herb Program

Overview

Fair Trade Certified™ tea and herbs offer consumers an opportunity to enjoy a quality product that directly benefits the lives of producers and their families in developing countries worldwide.  The Fair Trade Certified Tea and Herb Program includes products derived from the Tea plant of the Camellia family (Camellia sinensis and/or Camellia assamica), Rooibos (Aspalathus linearis), Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla), Hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa), and plants in the Mint genus (Mentha), including Peppermint (Mentha piperita) and Spearmint (Mentha spicata).  Fair Trade Certified tea was launched in 2001, rooibos in 2005, and chamomile, hibiscus and mint in 2006. 

There are over 70 FLO-certified tea estates and small-scale producer groups in 11 countries across Asia, Africa and Latin America.  Fair Trade supports a better life for tea workers by guaranteeing compliance with national and regional minimum wages and labor standards.  Fair Trade secures freedom of association for farmers and workers, and facilitates democratic decision-making processes.  Small-scale tea producers gain direct market access and improve business capacity.  Fair Trade promotes the use of sustainable farming methods that are safer for humans and the environment.

For every kilo of Fair Trade Certified product purchased, the U.S. importer is responsible for sending the Fair Trade premium to an elected association of workers and management, called a Joint Body, at each tea estate. The Joint Body allocates the premium to areas of greatest need, which is determined democratically and used for projects that benefit the entire community.  In the case of small-scale producer groups, this elected body is comprised of fellow farmers.  Fair Trade premiums have financed new computer learning centers and educational endowments, and healthcare programs that include nutrition, family planning, special medical needs, clean drinking water and toilets for every household.

Fair Trade Certified products are now available in over 35,000 retail locations nationwide, from national retailers and world-class restaurants, to independent cafes and grocery stores.  This unique emerging market has been covered in Time, Newsweek, USA Today, and newspapers and trade publications worldwide. 

Tea is one of the fastest growing Fair Trade Certified product categories, with Fair Trade Certified tea imports increasing an unprecedented 187% in 2005.  TransFair USA works with over 70 North American companies and a wide variety of brands that offer Fair Trade Certified specialty tea and herb products, including loose leaf, bagged teas, RTD bottled teas and chai blends, kombucha bottled teas, and foods containing Fair Trade Certified tea extracts such as green tea mints, ice cream and nutritional bars.  Fair Trade Certified rooibos and herbs offer caffeine-free options for Fair Trade tea enthusiasts, and countless ingredient opportunities for the culinary, nutraceutical and herbal supplement markets.  A growing number of major specialty tea and herb importers are now licensed to distribute Fair Trade Certified products, providing a range of sourcing options.

To learn how to become a licensed tea importer, click here >

To learn how to become a licensed tea blender, click here >

To learn how to retail Fair Trade Certified tea through your business, click here >