Fair trade – a certification contributing with sustainable development: the case of the CASA APIS of Brazil

Abstract

This study aims to understand the changes in the Beekeeping Cooperative Center cooperatives of the Brazilian Semi-Arid (CASA APIS) since Fair trade certification, using the concepts of sustainable development and of Fair trade as monoculars for analysis. Thus, through an unique case study, the content analysis methodology and triangulation of data seek to answer the following question: In terms of sustainable development, how does the fair trade certification impacted CASA APIS cooperatives? During the analysis we find that the social, economic, cultural, environmental and sustainable development policy have been improved with the certification Fair Trade, however, these changes appear more evident in some dimensions than in other. Therefore, we conclude that the certification Fair trade impact such cooperatives to modify their production and administrative processes to add value to local brand introduced to the international market and to improving economic and social conditions of beekeepers belonging to certified cooperatives.