According to information based on FLO Cert and WFTO websites, South American region has 306 operators certified in Fair Trade. Of this total amount, 89% are FLO Certified and 11% are WFTO members, as it’s shown in the next figure.

From total amount of Fair Trade certified, a 35% of operators are from Peru, 17% from Ecuador, 15% from Brazil and 14% from Bolivia. Other countries with an important amount of certified organizations are Argentina, Chile and Paraguay.

Analysis of certified operators in the region, shows that coffee is the most important product of FLO and WFTO organizations in South America. Coffee represents a 34%, while handicrafts represent an 11% and cocoa, banana and wine grapes a 8% of total operators. Fresh fruits & vegetables, as well as cane sugar, quinoa, flowers & plants, nuts & oil seeds, honey and fruit juices are other activities of some operators in South America region.

This figure only shows the split according to the number of certified operators, while details about transactions amount and importance have been asked to FLO International officers. Compared to Central America region there is more presence of handicraft organizations and IFAT member, what is a result of cultural characteristics of the countries in South America.

According to FLO Cert information, the countries with most diversification in Fair Trade offer are: Peru and Ecuador with 9 different certified products, followed by Brazil and Bolivia with 6 and 4 products, respectively. Paraguay and Chile have Fair Trade production concentrated in fewer products.

South America region according to Shared Interest split does not include Colombia.

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