Resumen

GARZA TREVINO, Alejandro. The effect of fair-trade on the development of coffee-farmers. Estud. soc [online]. 2014, vol.22, n.43, pp.271-293. ISSN 0188-4557.

This essay aims to understand how Fair-Trade certification affects the economic and social development of the coffee-famers. Through a review of the results reported in academic investigations, it is concluded that this certification promotes the development of new capabilities, as well as the construction of social networks which allow producers face predicaments in a more suitable way. Nevertheless, producers' income is only influenced in a significant way when market prices are way below compared to the minimum price established by Fair Trade. It is important to point out that cooperatives have achieved important goals on infrastructure acquisition. The greatest challenge for Fair-Trade is to increase the demand of these products, since only 20% of the certified production is sold within the established criteria.

Palabras llave : fair-trade; development; alternative trade; fair price; coffee.