World Fair Trade Day is an annual global event dedicated to promoting ethical trading practices that ensure fair wages, sustainable development, and social justice for producers and workers worldwide. It highlights the importance of equitable trade relationships that respect human rights and foster environmental sustainability.

Quick Facts

• When is it? The second Saturday of May each year.
• Tagged as: Ethical trade, sustainability, social justice.
• What’s the hashtag? #WorldFairTradeDay
• When was it founded? 2004.
• Who founded it? The World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO).

History of World Fair Trade Day

The roots of fair trade date back to the 1940s when Edna Ruth Byler began selling handmade textiles from Puerto Rican women to support their economic stability. The movement gained momentum with the establishment of the first Fair Trade Organization in 1964 and the creation of WFTO in 1989. In 2004, WFTO officially launched World Fair Trade Day to amplify awareness about fair trade’s role in combating poverty, exploitation, and climate change.

Timeline

• 1946: Edna Ruth Byler starts selling handmade textiles, marking the beginning of the fair trade movement.
• 1964: The first official Fair Trade Organization is established.
• 1989: WFTO is created to promote fair wages and ethical practices globally.
• 2004: WFTO launches World Fair Trade Day.
• Present: Celebrated annually to promote sustainable and equitable global trade.

Dates (2025–2030)

Year	Month and Date	Day
2025	May 10	Saturday
2026	May 9	Saturday
2027	May 8	Saturday
2028	May 13	Saturday
2029	May 12	Saturday
2030	May 11	Saturday

Observed

World Fair Trade Day is celebrated in over 80 countries with activities like fairs, workshops, exhibitions, and advocacy campaigns. It serves as a platform for businesses, activists, and consumers to support ethical trade practices.

Fun Facts About World Fair Trade Day

• Over 1.6 million farmers and workers benefit from the fair trade system.
• Small-scale farmers make up more than 80% of fair trade producers.
• Products with the Fairtrade Mark are sold in over 120 countries globally.

Quiz

1. What does fair trade aim to achieve?
2. When was World Fair Trade Day first celebrated?
3. Which organization founded World Fair Trade Day?

(Answers:)

1. Equitable trading conditions and sustainability.
2. In 2004.
3. The World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO).

FAQs

• What is fair trade? A global movement ensuring better trading conditions for marginalized producers by promoting sustainability and equity.
• Why is World Fair Trade Day important? It raises awareness about social justice, environmental sustainability, and ethical business practices.

Related

• Ethical consumerism
• Sustainable development
• Social justice movements
• WFTO’s Ten Principles of Fair Trade