For many years, colleague Jim Wilson Ruiz García and his team have taken care of the export of organic ginger to Fairtrasa Holland, which is sold at European retailers as well as organic wholesalers.
Last year however, competition in this sector became more intense. Despite this, Fairtrasa, stuck to their point that the growers must receive a fair price for their products. As a consequence the sales slowed down a bit but this was all for the good of the cause, they claim.
“Fairtrasa’s goal is to help keep small scale farmers out of poverty,” according to José María Cubero from Fairtrasa Holland. “So if you start following these prices, you completely lose this goal!”
“Still the volume we sell in Organic Ginger is substantial. If we had joined the price competition we might have sold double or triple the volume. But again, why would you sell at a price that doesn’t bring a profit but even a loss for the growers?” José continues.
According to Peter Abma it’s difficult to explain to your clients why your ginger is €2.00 to €5.00 a box more expensive in some cases. “Also the supermarkets are being judged by the final consumer and according to the consumer ginger, is ginger. And in fact they are right about that!”
José brought up the issue with Jim and started the conversation in Peru to come to a solution where the growers receive the money they need and how to make the client understand the price which is a bit higher in some cases.
“These conversations had already started at the end of 2016,” José explains. “We also started the discussion with the growers and we took a critical look at the organization. We worked on a better and more efficient infrastructure to save costs and all parties agreed that we should certify all farms as Fairtrade. This way we can explain why our ginger has a higher price, but at the same time we guarantee the sustainability of the product!” according to José.
“Our ultimate wish is that the “brand” Fairtrasa will be accepted as a social certificate,” Peter Abma says. “We are not there yet. Of course the big question is - will it ever be the case. But you always need something to dream about don't you?”
