Tea farming communities’ perceptions of Fairtrade and COVID-19 in Phongsali district of Laos

Tea farming communities in Laos are faced with COVID-19 impacts, while simultaneously having difficulties in access to Fairtrade. This paper examines community issues on how tea farmers perceived Fairtrade as an economic recovery from COVID-19. Taking a case study from five tea farming communities in the Phongsali district of Laos, this paper reveals pivotal role Fairtrade plays in supporting tea farmers’ community development to enhance their income and livelihoods. It suggests communities’ mixed perceptions of Fairtrade in contributing to economic recovery under the COVID-19 impacts over the long term. We argue that Fairtrade can be deployed as an ad-hoc economic recovery measure in the face of the COVID-19 impacts to sustain tea farmers’ trading, income, food security, and community development in Phongsali. This paper suggests how Fairtrade would serve as a safety net for enhancing local community development while the COVID-19 pandemic remains a huge challenge to local economic development.