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2000
Established in April 1997, the Fair Trade Labeling Organisation (FLO) coordinates worlwide Fair Trade labeling activities. The FLO – International ensures that the certification criteria are standardized at the international level and that the process is reliable. Among other aspects, FLO – International decides which products will be certified. These labeling/certification activities now take place in 14 European countries, Canada, Japan and the United States.
So far Fair Trade organizations have captured a limited share of the world market (0,01% of the total international trade) which nevertheless translates into millions of families living in improved conditions. In Europe, Fair Trade products can be found in more than 64 800 sales locations. The total net value of Fair Trade products sold in Europe reaches beyond 260 million Euros. Fair Trade organizations employ approximately 1250 full-time workers.
In many countries, specific Fair Trade products have become highly successful on the marketplace. For instance, Fair Trade bananas represent 15 % of the market in Switzerland; whereas Fair Trade organic coffee represents 70% of the organic market in Austria.
In the South, Fair Trade consists of 274 certified organizations of producers, improving the lives of 800 000 farmers’ and workers' families from 40 countries in Africa, Asia and South America. These numbers represent 8 million people who were able to escape poverty (as per June 2002).
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