Fair Trade Examples

Fair trade: Aloe Vera

the aloe project

The extensive properties and health benefits of Aloe Vera have lead to its use in many formulations, including Aloe Vera Body Lotion and Rhinodoron Nasal Spray. The Aloe plant, native to desert areas, grows exceptionally well in Brazil. Every year, 2 tons of biodynamic Aloe Vera gel are sent to Weleda Brazil to be made into a special tincture.

Weleda has a close working relationship with “Cassiopeia,” its Aloe Vera supplier, and the company’s owners, the Weltzein family. This partner ensures the highest quality, biodynamic Aloe Vera gel. They are also located within close proximity to Weleda Brazil, guaranteeing that the freshest gel is used in creating the valuable Aloe Vera tincture.
cultivation location
Brazil

time of harvest
summer

cultivation quality
biodynamic

Fair trade: Arnica

the arnica project

The Arnica plant, an essential ingredient in Weleda’s Body Care and Medicine formulations, naturally grows at high altitude, capturing the sun’s warmth. Due to the over-utilization of land in the Vosges Mountains in France, one of this plant’s indigenous homes, Arnica became endangered.

In order to secure Weleda’s supply and save this essential component of the local eco-system, Weleda has formed a cooperation with the University of Metz, the surrounding communities and representatives of the environmental protection park. Since this project’s initiation, the Arnica plant has returned and continued to re-grow. The landscape of the Vosges Mountains and its natural biodiversity has also flourished.

cultivation location
Vosges Mountains, France

time of harvest
mid-July

cultivation quality
wild-crafted

Fair trade: Birch

the birch project

The tremendous demand for our Birch Cellulite Oil has lead to a secure partnership with Leo Taraba in the Czech Republic. Each year, 500 tons of young, fresh Birch leaves are collected by hand.

Through this long-term partnership, Weleda pays above market prices for the pure birch leaves, allowing Mr. Taraba to pay his workers on a daily basis. Through both technical and financial assistance from Weleda, he has also been able to develop a modern processing facility. Mr. Taraba and his team also work with local school children, teaching them about cultivation and the environment. The environmental makeup of the Ceske Budejovice region also benefits, as Weleda works with its partners to preserve the indigenous life of this valuable tree.

cultivation location
Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic

time of harvest
May - June

cultivation quality
organic

Fair trade: Calendula
the calendula project

Weleda’s Medicinal Plant Garden in Germany is the largest biodynamic garden in Europe. As the pioneers of biodynamic agriculture, Weleda continues to develop and practice this holistic and uncontaminated method of farming. All ingredients are harvested according to the highest standards and under the strictest quality control guidelines. Located side-by-side with Weleda’s production facilities, all plants can be picked and blended into a tincture within the same day.

Approximately 800,000 biodynamic Calendula flowers are hand-picked from the Weleda garden each year for our Weleda Baby Calendula range. These flowers blossom under intensely warming sunlight. This vitality is captured in Weleda’s fresh-from-the-garden, soothing and healing formulations.

cultivation location
Weleda, Schwabisch Gmund, Germany

time of harvest
late June - July

cultivation quality
biodynamic

Fair trade: Iris

the iris project

The mountainside of the Italian Appenines between Florence and Bologna provides a balanced utopia for many plants. This is where Ca’ dei Fiori, Weleda’s long-standing Iris cultivation partner, calls home. Weleda has worked with this farm and its specialist, Simon, for the past 15 years.

The Iris plants are cultivated biodynamically under the purest conditions. The Iris rhizomes (roots) mature to the highest quality after four years of cultivation . The roots are then harvested by hand, dried, cut, left to ripen and then boiled into an extract. Ca’ dei Fiori supplies Weleda with 1 – 1.5 tons of Iris roots every year for use in Weleda’s renowned Iris Facial Care line and Body Care formulations. Weleda has ensured this partner of a guaranteed demand. In turn, Weleda is guaranteed its necessary, bountiful supply.

cultivation location
Ca’ dei Fiori, Tuscany, Italy

time of harvest
June - August

cultivation quality
biodynamic

Fair trade: Lavender

the lavender project

About 40 km north of Moldova’s capital, Chisinau, Weleda has established its sustainable project for the cultivation of organic Lavender. The fertile black earth and hot, dry summers provide ideal growing conditions for this key plant.

Weleda works with up to 200 seasonal harvesting partners in this area. Many people—particularly in rural areas—live in extreme poverty in Moldova. Through this partnership, Weleda has supported organic cultivation and provided farmers with the ability to export their goods with a long-term guarantee. This secure demand supports the economic and social make-up of the region. In addition, the organic cultivation of Lavender in Moldova further supports the fertile earth and environmental wellbeing of the region.

cultivation location
Moldova

time of harvest
begins mid-July

cultivation quality
organic

Fair trade: Lemon

the lemon project

Lemons are widely used throughout Weleda’s products—both for their internal and external benefits. To ensure the highest quality juice and essential oil and the necessary quantity, Weleda has partnered with the well-known cooperative, Salamita.

Francesco and Concetta Salamita bring together close to 100 farmers throughout the prime Lemon-cultivating area of Sicily, Italy. Each of these farmers follow strict biodynamic guidelines. The cultivated fruits and end products—the juice and oil—are handled under the guidance and quality control of Salamita. The Lemons grown with the Salamita cooperative are well-respected by consumers, as they can also purchase them for their own use.

cultivation location
Salamita, Sicily, Italy

time of harvest
July

cultivation quality
biodynamic

Fair trade: Ratanhia

the ratanhia project

Over 40 years ago, Weleda began protecting the endangered Ratanhia plant, whose existence became threatened due to its increasing popularity. In doing so, one of the world’s first Fair Trade projects was implemented. Through a closely-knit cooperative with a team of local farmers, the Nature Conservation Authority and other experts, this indigenous plant is now protected on 5,000 acres of certified organic land. For every plant that is extracted from the earth, 5 seeds from this plant are replanted in this exact location.

Through this project, Weleda has secured its annual need for 1 ton of dried Ratanhia roots for use in its Oral Care formulations. In addition, Weleda has provided education and a guaranteed, fair-market wage for local farmers, while creating a sustainable life for the Ratanhia plant.

cultivation location
Andes Mountains, San Antonio, Peru

time of harvest
summer

cultivation quality
organic and wild-crafted

Fair trade: Sea Buckthorn

the sea buckthorn project

For over 10-years, Weleda has partnered with the San Mario farm and Mr. Kuenzi, the pioneer in the cultivation of biodynamic Sea Buckthorn. Prior to this time, the Sea Buckthorn berries were prevalent throughout the Italian Friuli, Swiss Misox and French Southern Alps. However, as civilization grew and development in these areas increased, it became more difficult to collect these berries.

As a result, Mr. Kuenzi has selected the most suitable variety—out of 120 species—to cultivate within the specific climate conditions of his farm. These Sea Buckthorn berries grow prolifically on nearly 200 acres. He and his team have done all of this using biodynamic cultivation standards, providing Weleda with the richest Sea Buckthorn juice and oil.

cultivation location
San Mario, Tuscany, Italy

time of harvest
summer

cultivation quality
biodynamic

Fair trade: Wild Rose

the rose project

Due to the success of the Wild Rose Facial & Body Care preparations over the past years, Weleda has become the world’s largest purchaser of Rosa Damescena and Centifolia roses, harvesting more than 400,000,000 roses annually. In order to secure the annual needs of roses in a sustainable way, Weleda has developed a fair trade project with the local farmers and residents of the Turkish village, Senir.

Several years ago, Weleda began by helping these communities convert their land into organic cultivation. Since this time, 120 farmers have enhanced their farms according to organic standards. Weleda continues to provide educational, ecological and social support, offering this local community a secure living, while protecting their land and water for a sustainable future.

cultivation location
Valley of Roses, Isparta, Turkey

time of harvest
March – mid-June

cultivation quality
organic