I was stopped by a university student (U.s.) outside IFC Starbucks. She asked if I could help her on the "Fair Trade" survey (of course in Chinese).
It isn't hard to understand what "fair trade" is but to what extent does "fair" go?
U.s.: Have you heard of the term "fair trade"?
Me: Sounds familiar. May have heard.
U.s.: Do you have any idea what it means by "fair trade"?
Me: The name says it all. No rocket science.U.s.: Do you know that Starbucks buy those coffee beans at a very low price from farmers?Me: That's how business is done. To lower the basic cost as much as possible.
U.s.: But if there's some cafes that sell coffee under "fair trade" conditions, would you rather buy coffee from there?
Me:
Well, as a consumer, it's coffee that I want. If they sell good coffee,
plus under "fair trade" conditions, that would be perfect. But I
wouldn't buy coffee from a coffee shop solely because it joins the Fair
Trade. To the customers, if the quality of the product is bad, fair or
not, doesn't matter anymore.
U.s.: That's it. Thank you.
Stupid questions eh!? They have a perfect world in
their mind. What's wrong buying primary material at a lower price? If
farmers are deprived and coffee beans are bought at a price that barely
covers the cost of production, this is a problem. Honestly, if Starbucks
join the Fair Trade, I am more than glad and guilt-free to buy their a
little bit more expensive coffee.