Fair Trade USA is to increase its minimum price and premium for cocoa by 20 % as of 1 October 2019. The decision follows a lengthy consultation and evaluation process. The minimum price will increase from USD 2,000/t to USD 2,400/t, and the premium from USD 200/t to USD 240/t for conventional cocoa. For organic cocoa, the fair-trade price will be USD 300 above the market price or the fair-trade minimum price, whichever is higher at the time of sale, and the premium will increase from USD 200/t to USD 240/t.

Fairtrade America has also announced the same increases in cocoa minimum price and premium. “The current fair-trade minimum price and premium for cocoa are not sufficient to protect farmers from extreme poverty,” said Thibault de Chatellus, Vice President, Consumer Packaged Goods at Fair Trade USA.