Fairtrade in India Event Highlights Markets and Impact

The two-day conference “Fairtrade in India – Sustainability, Markets & Impact” opened at The Chancery Pavilion, Bengaluru, bringing together global and Indian producers, businesses, policymakers, and sustainability leaders. The deliberations underscored the urgent need for climate action, responsible sourcing, and producer empowerment, while highlighting Fairtrade’s pivotal role as a catalyst for fairness, transparency, and resilience in global supply chains. The event is supported by the European Union’s SWITCH-Asia Programme and EC FFPA.

Highlights From The Plenary Session: Future Is Fair – Sustainability, Markets And Impact

Franck Viault, Minister Counsellor – EU Delegation to India and Bhutan, said:

“The future of trade must be sustainable, inclusive, and fair—and the European Union is proud to partner with India and Fairtrade to make this vision a reality. Together, we can transform global supply chains into engines of climate resilience, equity, and prosperity, ensuring producers are not just participants but leaders in shaping sustainable growth. As our EU-India strategic partnership deepens, our shared commitment is clear: to build supply chains that are transparent, future-ready, and firmly anchored in fairness.”

Lisa Prassack, CEO, Fairtrade International, noted:

“The true measure of progress is when every farmer can sell 100% of their produce on fair terms and thrive with dignity. At Fairtrade, our mission is to build climate-resilient futures by leveraging data, innovation, and strong market partnerships, transforming global supply chains into catalysts of equity, sustainability, and shared prosperity—where farmers are not only providers of food and fibre but leaders in shaping a fairer world.”

Blaise Desbordes, CEO, Max Havelaar France, added:

“Fairtrade is proving to be one of the most powerful tools to link economic empowerment with environmental protection, turning supply chains into drivers of both social justice and climate resilience. For France, India is a key partner—whether through cotton, spices, tea, or coconuts—and together we can offer consumers credible, traceable, and sustainable alternatives to fast fashion and exploitative trade. By strengthening this partnership, we are not only meeting today’s sustainability challenges but shaping the future of fairer, more resilient global markets.”

Claudia Brück, Managing Director, Fairtrade Germany, emphasized:

Fairtrade is more than a label—it is a global movement turning fairness, transparency, and responsibility into everyday reality for millions of farmers and workers. By building traceable supply chains, fostering climate resilience, and empowering communities, we are proving that economic success and social responsibility can reinforce one another. Together with partners in India and worldwide, our mission is clear: to make Fairtrade the norm, not the exception, in a more just and sustainable global economy.”

Bindu S, CEO, Fairtrade NAPP, said:

“India is at the forefront of the global Fairtrade movement; with over 100,000 farmers and workers whose resilience and leadership are redefining sustainable trade. By placing producers—especially women and youth—at the centre, we are turning challenges into opportunities and reimagining supply chains as engines of climate resilience, innovation, and shared prosperity. Fairtrade is not about charity, but about justice, dignity, and partnership—and when producers are decision-makers, we create markets that are fair, future-ready, and truly transformative.”

Abhishek Jani, CEO, Fairtrade India Project, said:

“Fairtrade in India is witnessing remarkable growth—with sales of Fairtrade fashion more than doubling and one garment sold every minute. Our producer base is expanding, youth engagement is rising, and the gross merchandise value of Fairtrade products has tripled in just two years. This momentum proves that Indian consumers and businesses are embracing fairness and sustainability, and with global partnerships, we can scale this into a powerful force for climate action, equity, and resilient supply chains.” 

The plenary session set the tone for the conference, reaffirming that producers must remain central to global trade dialogues and that sustainability is no longer optional but imperative. Over the next two days, discussions will explore decarbonization in textiles, EU sustainability regulations, sustainable fashion brands, livelihoods, and climate action, alongside the much-anticipated launch of Mosegi India Pvt. Ltd. and its Fairtrade-powered brand MOSEGI.