Fair trade companies operate by creating partnerships with the producers they deal with based on honest dialogue, transparency and respect so that they are paid fairly for their work and products. This contributes to creating a sustainable development environment in which there are better trading conditions for marginalized producers and workers in which their rights are respected.

Members companies that support fair trade pay higher prices to exporters in developing countries and ensure that environmental standards are maintained during production. The fair trade movement focuses on particular commodities and products in developing countries that have previously been exploited by first world buyers. Fair trade is grounded the belief that consumers can act in unity with producers, that current policies promote the unequal distribution of wealth and that paying fair prices is the most efficient method for promoting sustainable development around the globe.