According to the fairtrade association the definition fairtrade is a partnership based on dialogue, transparency and respect that seeks greater equality in international trade. It strives to offer better trading conditions to marginalized, producers and workers. The fairtrade foundation along with the backing of consumers challenges the rules of conventional international trade. Fairtrade coffee allows a trading environment to exist were the coffee importer has a direct relationship with the coffee producer. To become a fairtrade coffee certified the importer must meet stringent international criteria. Firstly Fairtrade coffee importers must guarantee a minimum fair-trade price which is presently $1.26 per pound for fairtrade coffee beans. They must provide much needed credit to fairtrade coffee farmers and provide technical assistance including assistance to transform into organic farming. The production of fair-trade coffee allows the farming community to develop providing health, education and environmental stewardship.

Garraways are certified fairtrade coffee producers. This means that Garraways can import, roast and pack fairtrade coffee and supply fair-trade coffee direct to the consumer without the use of any middlemen therefore allowing Garraways to supply fair trade coffee at truly fairtrade price. Garraways source fairtrade coffee from many diffident continents. The most popular fairtade coffee is from Colombia. Colombian fairtrade coffee is often used as a single origin coffee used for filter and bulk brew type coffees. Colombian decaffeinated fair-trade coffee is a now also available. These coffee beans are exported from Colombia to a decaffeination plant in Germany and then exported again to the United Kingdom. Colombian FairTrade coffee can also be used as a base coffee for some espresso blends. The main fairtrade coffee used in espresso blends comes from Brazil. Other fairtrade coffees used in fairtrade espresso coffees include bold bean Robusta from Cameroon and Uganda. The range of fairtrade coffees is becoming more extensive and more specialist coffees are coming to the market. Organic fairtrade coffees are now also available. The market leading brand is Garraways Caliba. Caliba is a triple certified pure 100% pure Arabica organic fairtrade coffee. Produced to incomparable standards Cailba is certified by three major bodies, the Organic society, Rainforest Alliance and the Fairtrade foundation.

The growth in the Fairtrade coffee market is grown enormously over the last few years and is now the fastest growing sector in the coffee market. Consumer awareness is growing with increasing articles both in the press and television highlighting the plight of coffee farmers throughout the world leading to the stocking of fairtrade coffees in most supermarkets and other coffee retailers.