Fairtrade India to Host National Conference in Bengaluru

Fairtrade India (Centre for Social Markets), in partnership with the Fairtrade Network of Asia and Pacific Producers (Fairtrade-NAPP), will host the Second National Fairtrade in India Conference & Recognition Event on 9–10 September 2025 at The Chancery Pavilion, Bengaluru. The gathering is supported by the European Union’s SWITCH-Asia Programme and EC FFPA.

Focus on Sustainability, Markets, and Impact

This landmark two-day event will bring together 150+ global and Indian stakeholders across the Fairtrade ecosystem—including farmers’ organisations, plantations, businesses, policymakers, academia, civil society, and youth. Centered around the theme “Sustainability, Markets, and Impact”, the programme will explore Fairtrade’s role in advancing ethical trade, sustainable agriculture, and resilient supply chains in India.

India’s Fairtrade Momentum

Domestic sales of Fairtrade-labelled products surged from ₹23.92 crore in 2022 to ₹77.22 crore in 2024, marking a threefold rise in Gross Merchandise Value (GMV).
Exports of Fairtrade-certified products from India are estimated between ₹330–450 crore annually.
In 2023 alone, Fairtrade Premium contributions amounted to ₹49.81 crore (EUR 5.57 million), reinvested in education, healthcare, infrastructure, and sustainable farming in Indian communities.

Conference Highlights

The event will feature plenary and breakout sessions covering:

Fairtrade’s contribution to sustainable agriculture & climate resilience.
Decarbonisation in textiles and a just transition for MSMEs.
EU sustainability regulations and opportunities for Indian producers.
Impact stories from Fairtrade farmers and plantation workers.
Sustainable fashion initiatives with leading apparel companies.
Youth engagement and education projects, including a Fairtrade-only e-commerce platform.
Collaborative business models for expanding domestic Fairtrade markets.

Distinguished Speakers

The speaker line-up includes:

Lisa Prassack, CEO, Fairtrade International (first India visit)
Blaise Desbordes, MD, Max Havelaar France
Claudia Brueck, Executive Board Member, Fairtrade Germany
Abhishek Jani, CEO, Fairtrade India Project
Bindu S, CEO, Fairtrade-NAPP
Charath Narsimhan, MD, Indian Terrain Fashions Ltd
Vivek Sandhwar, COO, Being Human
Pravakar Meher, Director, Pratima Agro & Paper, and Chairman, Fairtrade-NAPP
Prarthana Borah, VP – Sustainability, Momentum India Pvt. Ltd
MSME leaders from Tirupur, sharing decarbonisation experiences in textiles.

Stakeholder Insights

Mr. Pravakar Meher, Chairman of Fairtrade-NAPP, said:
“The first edition of the National Fairtrade Conference laid a strong foundation for advancing ethical and sustainable trade in India. Building on this momentum, the second edition brings together producer members—including farmers’ cooperatives and plantations—along with businesses, policymakers, and consumers to place Fairtrade firmly on the national agenda. For farmers and workers, it translates into fairer prices and stronger livelihoods; for businesses, it offers transparent and responsible supply chains that meet the rising demand for sustainability.”

Mr. Abhishek Jani, CEO of Fairtrade India Project, added:
“As global trading conditions become more volatile and effects of climate change become more devastating, it is crucial that we enable sustainable livelihoods for the farming communities and MSMEs. Fairtrade India has been working on building sustainability driven markets and value chains with this focus. With fashion accounting for nearly 75% of our domestic Fairtrade Labelled market, and MSMEs driving decarbonisation in textiles, India is uniquely positioned to lead on ethical and climate-conscious supply chains. This conference is about mainstreaming Fairtrade – making sustainability accessible, scalable, and impactful for farmers, businesses, and consumers alike.”