Brew it Fair: Why Fairtrade Matters More Than Ever – and What We’re Doing at Suki Tea

Supporting Fairtrade Fortnight 2025

At Suki Tea, we’ve always believed that "pure, honest tea" goes beyond what’s in the cup, it’s about how that tea gets there, who grows it, and the impact it leaves behind.

This Fairtrade Fortnight, we’re proud to renew our commitment to a fairer, more sustainable tea industry by supporting the #BrewItFair campaign and continuing to grow our Fairtrade tea range.

Tea is more than Britain’s favourite drink - it’s a daily ritual, a comfort, a connection. But behind each cup lies a reality that’s often overlooked: a global supply chain that too often fails the farmers and workers who make our brews possible.

Why We Support the Brew it Fair Campaign

The Brew it Fair campaign is a movement to bring fairness and dignity to the people behind our tea. Too little of the money in the tea industry reaches those who grow and pick the leaves. Prices are squeezed, working conditions can be unsafe, and wages often fall far below a living income.

As a small, independent tea company, we may not control the entire global supply chain, but we can choose to do better.

By sourcing Fairtrade-certified teas, we ensure that:

• Farmers and workers are paid fairly and can invest in their communities.
• Tea estates and smallholder cooperatives receive a Fairtrade Premium to fund projects they decide on, from environmental sustainability to worker safety.
• We support climate-resilient farming, gender equity, and decent work conditions.

The Impact: Real Stories from Tea Estates

Let us introduce you to Mr Murugaraj, a supervisor and member of the Fairtrade Premium Committee at Stanes Amalgamated Estates in South India.

Murugaraj is the third generation of his family to work on the estate, alongside his wife. For them, tea isn’t just a job, it’s their livelihood, their heritage.

But climate change has brought major challenges.

“When our crop yields go down, our income also comes down… when this happens, we face hardship,” he says.

Using the Fairtrade Premium, Murugaraj has taken meaningful action. He led a reforestation project, planting trees to restore biodiversity, protect water sources, and improve the microclimate for tea farming.

“We’ve bought and planted trees. Through this, we are creating more forests. That helps bring in more wildlife… we protect these areas and safeguard the water sources.”

Safety and wellbeing are also high on the agenda. Murugaraj and the committee used Premium funds to install solar-powered street lighting, helping families and children feel safer from wildlife when walking after dark.

“Our children have evening classes… if there’s lighting in those areas, animal movement will reduce. It will give us a sense of safety.”

The Bigger Picture: Why Fairtrade Matters

Fairtrade isn't just about better wages. it’s a framework for lasting impact:

•  Climate-resilient farming practices
•  Living wages and income security
•  Environmental sustainability and reforestation
•  Gender equity and decent work
•  Youth inclusion and education
•  Freedom of association and community voice

When we choose Fairtrade, we’re investing in locally-led development and standing up for trade justice. And as a business, we’re proud to be part of that movement.

Continuing Our Relationship with Oxfam

We’re also delighted to continue our partnership with Oxfam UK and Ireland, which began last year and has blossomed into a meaningful collaboration. Like us, Oxfam is committed to tackling inequality, promoting climate justice, and supporting smallholder farmers.

It means a lot to see Suki Tea on their shelves because it reflects a shared set of values.

Did you know?
🔹 Smallholder farmers contribute the least to climate change but manage 80% of the world’s 500 million farms.
🔹 Fairtrade income is often their main or only source of income, making it crucial to their survival and resilience.

What We're Doing at Suki Tea

We’ve expanded our Fairtrade tea range, so it’s now easier than ever to choose a brew that supports people and planet.

Explore our Fairtrade-certified teas;

• Fairtrade Belfast Brew
• Fairtrade Earl Grey Blue Flower
• Fairtrade Decaf Breakfast Tea
• Fairtrade Darjeeling
• Fairtrade Mince Pie Tea

 Shop the range here: suki-tea.com/search?q=fairtrade

Take Action: Brew It Fair

One small but powerful action you can take today, that everyone at Suki has already done, is to sign the Brew it Fair petition.

It takes less than a minute, but it sends a strong message to the UK Government to take responsibility and act for a fairer tea industry.

 Sign the petition here:
🔗 https://action.fairtrade.org.uk/page/171071/petition/1

Together, We Can Brew a Better Future

We know we’re a small part of a big industry. But we believe that collective action from businesses, governments, and everyday tea drinkers can help build a more sustainable, resilient, and fairer supply chain.

Let’s Brew it Fair.
Let’s drink tea that supports the people behind every leaf.
Let’s choose Fairtrade.

#FairtradeFortnight #BrewItFair #SukiTea #FairtradeTea #EthicalTea #Oxfam #PeopleBehindTheTea #SustainableTea #ClimateJustice #TradeJustice