In South European countries the phenomenon of Fair Trade has had different times and methods compared to that of Anglo-Saxon and Central European countries. The reasons for this delay are numerous and all caused by historical and cultural causes. The lack of a solid tradition in the field of international solidarity can be considered a decisive element.

FAIR TRADE IN ITALY

The reality of Fair Trade in Italy can count on the existence of a system of no-profit organizations that has a very important role in the diffusion of the information about Fair Trade, but this happens also thanks to ONLUS organizations which support the movement.
Today in Italy Fair Trade has a turnover of about 12.500.000 €, involving thousands and thousands of consumers. Italian Fair Trade is based on some principle structures which are the importing organizations and the world shops, called Botteghe del Mondo. But recently the sale of Fair Trade products has been extended to the ordinary distribution implicating also commercial chains of supermarkets such as Coop, Esselunga etc… This means not only the beginning of a heated debate on the risks of the insertion of Fair Trade goods in conventional distribution chains, but also the necessity of giving a guarantee and a certification of the products and this is carried out by the labelling organization Transfair Italia. It started in 1994; the importing organizations, the world shops, some NGOs and other important civilian associations have collaborated in creating it. The first product with the label of “Transfair” was the coffee and it was launched on the Fair Trade market around the end of 1995.
The existence of a label means offering to producers from southern hemisphere a bigger access to market, guaranteeing controlled distribution, but not limited to specialist shops. The principle role of Transfair association is to promote the diffusion of products and testing their conformity to Fair Trade standards.
Importing organizations are the essential link of Fair Trade’s chain. These organisms are in contact with some small producers and support them, and also represent the reference point to the organizations which distribute.

CTM ALTROMERCATO GROUP represents the most important importing organization in Italy. It was founded in 1988, currently it has 130 associates, and employs around 250 people to carry out the activities of cooperation and development, production, import, distribution and information.

Other important importing organizations are Roba dell’Altro Mondo (RAM), Equo Mercato, Equoland and Commercio Alternativo which is a very important importer in Campania. It was founded in 1996 at Salerno, and it has 65 associates, 4 world shops and also restaurants and bars. It has an essential role not only in the trade of Salerno but also in the trade of the whole region.

BOTTEGHE DEL MONDO is the Italian name for the world shops, they have a crucial role in Fair Trade’s chain because they are the commercial outlets that make possible the sale of the products. BOTTEGHE DEL MONDO ASSOCIATION is composed by 126 no-profit organizations to the amount of 220 shops, and it involves itself in supporting awareness campaigns and information at national and European level.

FAIR TRADE IN SPAIN

In Spain the situation is a bit different, because here the Fair Trade market is dominated by three big importing organizations: Intermón, Alternativa 3 and Ideas.
Intermón is a NGO that works in the area of the cooperation for development. It was created in 1956 and since then the principles of justice and solidarity have been at the basis of its activity. In the early nineties Intermón launched a small Fair Trade operation that expanded very quickly and now Intermón is the biggest importer in Spain. Today more than 80% of its turnover comes from the sale of handicrafts.

Alternativa 3, based near Barcelona, has a stronger focus on foodstuffs, especially coffee. It sells through its own shops, but delivers Fair Trade goods also to other shops and church groups.

Ideas has an even stronger emphasis on food. It sells mainly to world shops and solidarity groups.

There are also other smaller importing organizations, like Sodepaz, Mercadeco and Equimercado. The first two Spanish world shops were opened in 1986. Today Spain has more than 70 world shops (Tiendas de solidaridad) and about 1500 volunteers are active within Fair Trade network.
Spain does not yet have a labelling organization, but the issue is under consideration.

FAIR TRADE IN GREECE

In Greece there is yet too little interest in Fair Trade and the NGO are less developed than in the other European countries.
There is only one Fair Trade organization in Greece: Cosmos Art, based in Athens. It’s a private company which complies with Fair Trade standards and it had links with importing organizations in other European countries but has recently started to work more on its own.
The products are sold in the Cosmos Art shop in Athens and in more than 100 commercial shops all over Greece.
Fair Trade products are very expensive, compared with normal commercial products and this limits the development of Fair Trade in Greece.