The two-day conference “Fairtrade in India – Sustainability, Markets & Impact” opened at The Chancery Pavilion, Bengaluru, uniting global and Indian producers, businesses, policymakers, and sustainability leaders. The event underscored the urgency of climate action, ethical sourcing, and producer empowerment, while reaffirming Fairtrade’s role as a driver of fairness, transparency, and resilience in global supply chains. The conference is supported by the European Union’s SWITCH-Asia Programme and EC FFPA.
Key Insights from the Plenary Session – Future is Fair: Sustainability, Markets & Impact
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Franck Viault, Minister Counsellor, EU Delegation to India & Bhutan:
“The future of trade must be sustainable, inclusive, and fair. The EU is proud to partner with India and Fairtrade to build supply chains anchored in climate resilience, equity, and transparency, where producers lead sustainable growth.” -
Lisa Prassack, CEO, Fairtrade International:
“Progress is real when every farmer sells 100% of their produce on fair terms. Fairtrade’s mission is to create climate-resilient futures through innovation, partnerships, and equity—empowering farmers as leaders of a fairer world.” -
Blaise Desbordes, CEO, Max Havelaar France:
“Fairtrade links empowerment with environmental protection. France and India are key partners in building credible, traceable alternatives to fast fashion and exploitative trade.” -
Claudia Brück, MD, Fairtrade Germany:
“Fairtrade is not just a label—it’s a movement. By empowering communities, building traceable supply chains, and fostering resilience, we prove that fairness and business success go hand in hand.” -
Bindu S, CEO, Fairtrade NAPP:
“India is at the forefront of the Fairtrade movement with 100,000+ farmers and workers leading sustainable trade. Fairtrade is about justice and partnership, ensuring producers—especially women and youth—drive transformation.” -
Abhishek Jani, CEO, Fairtrade India Project:
“Fairtrade in India is growing rapidly—Fairtrade fashion sales have doubled, one garment sells every minute, and GMV has tripled in two years. This momentum proves Indian consumers and businesses are embracing fairness and sustainability.”
