 「公平貿易」是相對於現行國際貿易中不公平的運作式而言的概念，簡括而言，「公平貿易」是一種建基於對話、透明和尊重的貿貿易夥伴關係，目標是令國際貿易更符合公義；締造有利可持續發展的環境，同時保障生產者的權利，改善他們生計和發展機會。*
公平貿易產品的出現是為了協助生產者改善產品銷售途徑、增加收入和提供技術支援、提升消費者的意識和倡導傳統不公平貿易規則的改革。
- FINE對公平貿易的家義：FINE 是由四個團體組成，它們分別是Fairtrade Labelling Organisations, International, International Fair Trade Association, Network of European Worldshops, European Fair Trade Association)
 現時全球約有二十五億人處於赤貧狀態，佔了所有人口的四分一。他們是從事耕種的農民或農工，為養活我們而筋疲力歇地耕作，生產基本口糧，如玉米、米及咖啡等。雖然工作艱苦，但他們卻未能在銷售農產品上獲得合理價錢。 我們為何需要公平貿易？下面咖啡是一個例子。
- 咖啡價格於二○○二至○三年下跌近百分之五十，至三十年來的新低點。主要的咖啡生產國（如巴西、越南、坦桑尼亞及埃塞俄比亞）的大多數農民只擁有一小片農地，卻要把其咖啡豆的售價壓至遠低於生產成本，因而引來嚴重後果──農戶舉家捱餓、子女失學（尤以女孩佔多）、無力支付基本醫藥費等。部分貧農被迫放棄農地而跑到城市去找工作，一些以生產咖啡為經濟命脈的國家，更受困於持續下降的出口收益。
- 其他如可可、糖和米等農產品的國際價格亦不斷下跌，部分價格在過去二十年內滑落了七成。這是因為富裕國家（如歐盟及美國）給予其農民補貼，生產沒有市場需求的過剩產品，然後將這些農產品降價「傾銷」到發展中國家，引致產品的國際價格沉底，窮國農民遂無法跟富國的補貼產品競爭，他們甚至在自己國內也無法賣出自己的農產品。
要打破上述循環的一個方法是購買公平貿易產品，這些產品確保生產者獲得一個合理收入、確保生產者跟購買者建立長久的關係、可以獲得貸款、及獲得支援以採用環保方法進行生產等。
 自由貿易得其名，是因為其銷售的產品及服務的價格由市場決定，所有生產者理論上是在同一種條件下競爭，亦沒有入口限制。可是，在現實中，某些行業獲得其政府的財政協助，因而可以不公平地以低價「傾銷」其產品。此外，大型商業機構操控著很大比例的世界咖啡貿易，並盡力降低價格以打擊對手，方法是透過縮減工人工資及福利。當咖啡工人從每磅銷售的咖啡中只分得美金八角，而消費者購買一杯咖啡，卻付出一倍於這個價格，或更高的價格時，就說明了自由貿易是多麼不公平。
公平貿易運動有時被稱為公義貿易運動，旨在提高貨品及服務的生產和貿易過程的公平標準，其目的不單致力改善生產者的經濟發展，亦重視社會公義、環境保護及維持更強的貿易聯繫網絡。
在美國使用的公平貿易標籤「公平貿易認證」（Fair Trade Certified）、英國的「公平貿易」（Fairtrade）及歐洲的Max Havelaar，保證所購買的產品，其生產者及生產運作符合公平貿易標準。現時，已有19個國家成立了負責標籤的機構，在遵循國際公平貿易標籤組織（FLO）的指引下運作，逾500個此類國家機構的夥伴組織因符合國際公平貿易標準而獲認證，確保生產和貿易過程公平，例如不使用童工或強迫勞工、不實行傾銷及採取高品質標準等。此外，這些組織使用環保耕作法，而公平貿易運動強調環境與社會發展的平衡，因而涉及有機耕種。所有這些標準均符合國際勞工組織的規定。
作為消費者，我們若要改變現狀，不一定要捐出巨款來助人。只要選購公平貿易產品，如咖啡、香蕉、茶、巧克力、蜜糖、糖、橙汁或花，以支持公平貿易運動，我們便能協助第三世界國家的生產者保有他們的農田，改善眾多農民、工人及其家庭的生計及工作條件，讓最需要我們協助的地區獲得幫助。
 不同產品的認證標準都略不同，制訂相關準則需要相當的時間和金錢，所以公平貿易認證產品的種類不算很多。全球「公平貿易標籤」（Fairtrade Mark）有多於1,300件產品,包括咖啡、茶葉、朱古力、香蕉、大米、芒果、糖、蜜糖、果汁、酒、乾果和足球等。
 公平貿易產品對農民/小農戶、工人、消費和環境都有好處。
農民：
在公平貿易產品認證制度下，農民組織成合作社，集體與收購一方訂定收產品價格，免受大企業無理壓價。農民的產品都設最低收購價保證，確保他們收回成本和持續生產；此外，在最低格價之外，農民又有「社區發展金」收入的保證，有關收益可用作改善生產力和社區設施；即使國際農產品市場價格下瀉，他們的收入和生活水平也有所保障。
消費者：
在行使消費力的同時，可實踐自己的原則和信念；可幫助農民更有力地回應世界貿易不公平之處；產品的品質和來源有保證。
環境：
公平貿易產品鼓勵環保的耕作/生產方式，包括減少使用污染物、殺蟲劑和化學藥品；引入有機耕種。
 是中介商向農民收購農產品時的最低價格，顧名思義，最低收購價保證生產者收回成本，得以維持生計和可持續的生產，這個價錢會隨著同類產品的市場價格變動而調
整。
 公平貿易產品不一定是有機產品。不過，公平貿易認證產品都必須符合「採用可持續耕作方法」和「有機產品的訂價應合理」的原則。.
轉載自http://www.maketradefair.org.hk/，其網站有更多更詳細關於公平貿易的資訊。
 Fair Trade offers a model for trade which values the interests of poor people and the environment.
Fair Trade means that producers:
- receive a fair price for their product or labour
- work in healthy and safe conditions
- develop direct and long-term relationships with their buyers
- have access to credit and technical assistance
- use sustainable and environmentally-friendly techniques
- work within cooperatives and associations
Fair Trade definition (adopted by FINE*, Dec 2001)
Fair Trade is a trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency and respect, that seeks greater equity in international trade. It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, marginalised producers and workers - especially in the South. Fair Trade organisations (backed by consumers) are engaged actively in supporting producers, awareness raising and in campaigning for changes in the rules and practice of international trade.
*FINE is a international fari trade networks forms by 4 organization. Fairtrade Labelling Organisations, International, International Fair Trade Association, Network of European Worldshops, European Fair Trade Association.
 So what is the difference between "free trade" and "fair trade"? Free trade is so named because the prices of goods and services are market-driven, all producers get the same conditions (in theory) and there are no import limits. However, in reality, certain industries get government financial help so that they can sell their goods at unfairly low "dumping" price levels. Furthermore, the large corporations that control most of the world's coffee trade strive to undercut each other on price, which they commonly achieve by cutting wages and benefits to labourers. When these workers earn about $0.80 per pound of coffee - while consumers pay double that, and more, for a single cup - "free trade" is clearly unfair.
The Fair Trade movement, sometimes called the trade justice movement, promotes standards for the production and trade of different goods and services. Fair trade strives not only for economic development, but also for social justice, environmental protection, and maintaining stronger trade connections.
Labels used in United States ("Fair Trade Certified"), United Kingdom ("Fairtrade") and Europe ("Max Havelaar") are a guarantee that the producers of the goods you buy meet Fair Trade standards. Today, 19 countries have their own labelling initiatives which operate under the guidelines of Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International (FLO), and more than 500 partner organisations have already been certified in accordance with international fair trade standards. They require a guarantee of fair process, no child or slave labour, anti-dumping practices, and high quality standards. In addition, they must employ environmentally-friendly growing methods. Thus organic farming is often linked with Fair Trade movement, because of the common emphasis on environmental and social balance. All these standards also follow the conventions of the International Labour Organization.
As consumers, we don't need to donate large sums of money to make a difference. When we choose Fair Trade products - such as coffee, bananas, tea, chocolate, honey, sugar, orange juice or flowers - we support the movement. We help third world producers keep their farms, and improve the living and working conditions of farmers, workers, and families in regions that need us the most.
 Small-scale farmers and workers
Fair Trade has helped build economic independence and empowerment for certified farmer cooperatives and their workers, bringing them economic stability and a higher standard of living. Beyond being paid a fair price for their products, a social premium helps build necessary social infrastructure of which the following are several examples:
- Improved access to low- or no-interest loans
- Technical assistance for building infrastructure to increase production
- Communications systems, and collectively-owned transport and processing equipment
Technical training and skills diversification for members and their families
Consumers
Fair Trade benefits consumers in the following ways:
- Gives them the option of purchasing according to their principles and values
- Empowers them to be a player in the solution to the integrity of global trade
- Provides them with fine quality products
Assures them of the ethical source of their foods and non-food purchases
Environment
Environmentally sustainable farming and production practices.
- Organic farming methods which avoids pollutants, pesticides and herbicides
- Crop diversification
Source from http://www.maketradefair.org.hk/，more details of fair trade information can check out fro there
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