Trading Fairly Inefficiently

I certainly recognize the tremendous good that has been delivered by the FairTrade brand. Thousands of small scale farmers would not be growing coffee or tea today if not for the price support they received through the FairTrade system. Moreover, cooperatives established under the FairTrade banner have provided security for small farmers who otherwise would be left at the mercy of local exporters. Nevertheless, a dire need exists to improve efficiency of the certification process, decrease administrative costs, and increase transparency. Unfortunately, the tendency for ideology to trump practical strategy has inhibited the FairTrade movement from attaining more of its objectives.