After 25 years of proudly supporting the Fairtrade system, Witham’s Coffee has made the difficult decision to discontinue its Fairtrade certification and license. This decision wasn’t made lightly, given our long-standing commitment to sustainable and equitable trade relationships.
Fairtrade was established in 1992 as a groundbreaking initiative to support producers in developing countries, creating opportunities for sustainable livelihoods through ethical trade practices. Witham’s was among the early adopters in Australia, signing up in the late ’90s or early 2000s. For a quarter of a century, we’ve been proud to play a part in this global movement, partnering with Fairtrade to bring you ethically sourced coffee while supporting farmers, cooperatives, and exporters in coffee-growing regions.
A lot has changed since Fairtrade’s inception. What began as an inclusive system designed to help small businesses like ours now heavily favours larger organisations. Over time, the compliance requirements and licensing costs have grown to a level that penalises smaller, boutique roasters—the very businesses that championed Fairtrade in its early days.
Let us be clear: we continue to fully support the principles behind Fairtrade and the positive impact it delivers to communities at origin. However, the administrative burden and financial costs of maintaining certification no longer align with our ability to remain sustainable as a business.
In the coming weeks, you’ll notice that our Fairtrade-labelled products will gradually disappear from our online store and physical shelves as we work through the remaining stocks. Rest assured, the quality of our non-Fairtrade coffees from these same origins remains exceptional—if not superior—thanks to the close relationships we’ve built with our suppliers over the years.
At Witham’s, we remain committed to sourcing coffee responsibly, maintaining transparent and ethical practices, and supporting the communities that grow the beans you love. This transition marks the end of one chapter but opens the door to new opportunities for delivering great coffee while staying true to our values.
Thank you for your ongoing support and understanding. Together, we can continue to celebrate coffee that’s not only delicious but also crafted with care for people and the planet.