Fair Trade Lebanon
Fair Trade Lebanon is a non-profit NGO founded in 2006 that empowers rural Lebanese cooperatives, SMEs, food producers, and vulnerable communities through sustainable agriculture, market access, food security, and blue economy programs, funded primarily by European and multilateral development institutions.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2006
- HeadquartersHazmie, Lebanon
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Fair Trade Lebanon does
Fair Trade Lebanon is a Lebanese non-governmental organization founded in 2006 that operates as a hybrid development agency and fair trade social enterprise. Headquartered in Beirut with a field presence across all major Lebanese regions (Bekaa, North Lebanon, South Lebanon, Akkar, Mount Lebanon, Baalbek-Hermel, and coastal zones), the organization supports rural cooperatives, SMEs, and food producers through capacity-building, market access facilitation, sustainable agriculture training, food security programming, and economic development initiatives. As the only World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO) member in Lebanon, it works through multi-year, multi-donor projects spanning agroecology, blue economy, climate resilience, food security, and export enablement, and it has reached 251,020+ beneficiaries, strengthened 5,290+ SMEs and cooperatives, and distributed 702,200+ food boxes as of 2025.
The organization's core commercial assets are two platforms: Terroirs du Liban, a WFTO-certified e-commerce storefront (terroirsduliban.com) that sells Lebanese fair trade products to local and international consumers, and BIEEL (Business Innovation and Enhance Exports for Lebanon) at bieel.org, which connects Lebanese agri-food SMEs and cooperatives to international buyers. The BIEEL project (2019-2022) organized Lebanese producers into seven export clusters (olive oil, wines and spirits, spices, tahini, nuts and coffee, pastries, fruits and vegetables) and is credited with facilitating $270 million in agri-food exports during its tenure. Fair Trade Lebanon also operates the Fair Market physical market in Ashrafieh, Beirut, and supports producer participation in trade shows including HORECA, Made in Lebanon, and SIAG.
Revenue is derived primarily from institutional donor grants awarded by agencies including AFD, GIZ, BMZ, KfW Development Bank, MEPI/USAID, UNDP, AECID, the European Union, the World Bank, Kindernothilfe, the Government of Monaco, the Union for the Mediterranean, and the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Programs are implemented in partnership with CIHEAM Montpellier, Action Against Hunger, CNRS Lebanon, USEK, Save the Children, La Guilde, and various Lebanese government ministries. The organization's social enterprise, Fair Trade and Tourism Lebanon (FTTL), won the 2023 Go Global Fair Trade Award and the Terroirs du Liban brand obtained the People and Planet First certification in 2024.
Fair Trade Lebanon firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Fair Trade Lebanon
- Legal name
- Fair Trade Lebanon
- Website
- https://fairtradelebanon.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2006
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Fair Trade Lebanon is a non-profit NGO founded in 2006 that empowers rural Lebanese cooperatives, SMEs, food producers, and vulnerable communities through sustainable agriculture, market access, food security, and blue economy programs, funded primarily by European and multilateral development institutions.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Fair Trade Lebanon industry classification
Industry- Product category
- International Development and Rural Community Services
- NAICS
- Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods (424), Wholesale Trade (42)
- SIC
- Wholesale-Groceries & Related Products (5140), Wholesale-Farm Product Raw Materials (5150)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Fair Trade & Ethical Supply Chains (Certification, Traceability, Producer Support) (BPAGALAL)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems (Fair Trade, Food Access, Regenerative) (BPAGALAD), Inclusive Trade (Gender, Youth, Marginalized Groups) (BPADAMAM), Organic & Natural Foods Import/Export & Global Trading (AFAIAJAK), Fair Trade & Ethical Sourcing Certification Services (AFALAMAD)
Keywords
Where Fair Trade Lebanon is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Hazmie
- HQ country
- Lebanon
- HQ region
- Middle East
Offices1 record
Markets served
Fair Trade Lebanon business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Institutional Donor Project Funding: Fair Trade Lebanon operates primarily through grants and project funding from international development institutions including AFD, GIZ, MEPI/USAID, UNDP, KfW Development Bank, BMZ, AECID, and others. Projects span areas such as agroecology, blue economy, food security, SME development, and market access.
- Social Enterprise - Terroirs du Liban: Fair Trade Lebanon operates Terroirs du Liban, a World Fair Trade Organization certified brand that sells products from Lebanese cooperatives and producers. This serves as a market access and revenue stream for supported producer communities.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Fair Trade Lebanon product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Fair Trade Lebanon is a non-profit NGO that empowers rural Lebanese communities through sustainable agro-food development, cooperative capacity building, and market access facilitation. Its core services include business support and export enablement for SMEs, agroecology and climate-resilient agriculture training, blue economy programs for coastal communities, and livelihoods and food security programs for vulnerable populations. It also operates two commercial platforms: the Terroirs du Liban WFTO-certified e-commerce storefront and the BIEEL export platform connecting cooperatives to international buyers.
Product overview
Fair Trade Lebanon operates as a non-profit organization (NGO) focused on economic development rather than a technology product company. Its core offerings consist of two main platforms: Terroirs du Liban, a WFTO-certified e-commerce platform for selling fair trade Lebanese products, and BIEEL, an export platform that helps SMEs and cooperatives access international markets. The organization also implements various development projects including blue economy initiatives (Nassim Al Baher), agroecology programs (ARADINA, Eco-North, Permasoil), livelihoods support (Sanadkoun, SAWA, Food for Akkar), and business accelerator programs (BOOST LEB, NOOMOO). These are project-based interventions rather than software products.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Terroirs du Liban: World Fair Trade Organization certified brand showcasing Lebanese culinary heritage and traditions, promoting fair trade products from local cooperatives and producers.
- FTTL (Fair Trade and Tourism Lebanon)
Products and services
- Terroirs du Liban Fair Trade E-commerce Brand A WFTO-certified e-commerce platform and product brand that sells Lebanese fair trade products online, providing local and international market access for supported cooperatives, SMEs, and producers across multiple agro-food categories.
- BIEEL Export Platform An export platform that connects Lebanese agri-food SMEs and cooperatives with international buyers, enabling export transactions across seven product clusters and aggregating MSMEs into commercially viable export groupings.
Quantifiable outcome
- Agri-food exports increased from $50M to $270M during BIEEL project period (2019-2022)
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Fair Trade Lebanon
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Fair Trade Lebanon technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Fair Trade Lebanon partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
29 partnerships are on record, tiered secondary and core.
- Al MajmouasecondaryAl Majmoua, Lebanon's largest microfinance institution, is a partner in the Tarik Akhdar project, contributing to inclusive finance initiatives for rural cooperative development.
- ADIEsecondaryADIE participated in the Tarik Akhdar project follow-up visit alongside Fair Trade Lebanon and AFD, focusing on inclusive finance and sustainable development for rural communities.
- SIDIsecondarySIDI partnered with Fair Trade Lebanon on the Tarik Akhdar project, providing training on Social and Environmental Performance to project beneficiaries and reinforcing responsible, community-centered growth.
- CIHEAM MontpelliercoreCIHEAM Montpellier is a key implementation partner for the Aradina project alongside Fair Trade Lebanon and Action Against Hunger. AFD provides funding for the project focused on agroecology and rural development across Lebanon.
- Action Against HungercoreAction Against Hunger collaborates with Fair Trade Lebanon as an implementing partner in the Aradina project, which promotes agroecology and rural development in Lebanon with funding from AFD.
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) - LebanonsecondaryCNRS Lebanon is a partner in the Nassim Al Baher project, contributing scientific research capabilities for studies on marine ecosystem protection, microplastics, and sustainable fishing practices.
- Lebanese DeveloperssecondaryLebanese Developers is a partner in the Nassim Al Baher blue economy project, supporting technology and development aspects of coastal community empowerment.
- Tabitha for Relief and DevelopmentsecondaryTabitha for Relief and Development is a partner in the Nassim Al Baher project, contributing to field implementation and community support for coastal populations.
- World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO)coreFair Trade Lebanon is a member of WFTO, a global community of social enterprises across 76 countries practicing Fair Trade. FTL's Terroirs du Liban brand holds WFTO product certification. WFTO membership provides credibility, network access, and alignment with global fair trade standards.
- General Directorate of Cooperatives (Lebanon)coreThe General Directorate of Cooperatives participates in the Tarik Akhdar project with Fair Trade Lebanon, emphasizing the role of cooperatives in empowering farmers economically and socially to drive local development.
- Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK)secondaryFair Trade Lebanon and USEK signed an MoU to provide training and professional development for NGOs, SMEs, and agri-food cooperatives in areas such as proposal writing, market access, planning, and budgeting. USEK also introduced a new course on 'NGO Management and Community Development' at its School of Business.
- Save the Children LebanoncoreSave the Children Lebanon partners with Fair Trade Lebanon on the SUBUL project, which aims to enhance resilience and self-reliance of vulnerable families with children in Beirut-Mount Lebanon through integrated interventions including food access, livelihood opportunities, and skills training.
- USAID / Land O'Lakes Venture37secondaryUSAID and Land O'Lakes Venture37 collaborated with Fair Trade Lebanon to support Lebanese cooperatives' participation in the SIAG Food Trade Show in Algeria, showcasing products from CD4 project-supported cooperatives.
- GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit)coreGIZ partnered with Fair Trade Lebanon on the Healthy Schools Project (providing 101,444+ food boxes to 144 public schools) and the NOOMOO Leb business booster program (supporting 25 agri-food enterprises). GIZ also commissioned the SAWA project through BMZ for displaced populations in Bekaa and Baalbek.
- Fédération Artisans du Monde (FAdM)secondaryFAdM is the donor organization and project partner for the Tawazon Tabie project, a three-year climate resilience initiative for farmers and food producers in Lebanon's Bekaa region, funded by AFD.
- Association for the Development of Rural Capacities (ADR) - LebanonsecondaryADR collaborated with Fair Trade Lebanon in organizing the MedArtSal 2nd International Salt Fair in Anfeh, celebrating sustainable business models in artisanal salt production. ADR is part of the MedArtSal Mediterranean consortium.
- CUEIM - University Consortium for Industrial and Business Economics (Italy)secondaryCUEIM leads the MedArtSal project (Sustainable Management of Artisanal Salt Mines of the Mediterranean), a €3.2M initiative funded by the EU's ENI CBC Med program, with Fair Trade Lebanon as a key implementation partner.
- MEDSEA Foundation (Italy)secondaryMEDSEA Foundation is a partner in the MedArtSal project, contributing to the sustainable management of artisanal salt pans in the Mediterranean.
- IUCN Centre for Mediterranean CooperationsecondaryIUCN Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation is a consortium partner in the MedArtSal project, providing environmental and conservation expertise for Mediterranean salt pan management.
- UNDP (United Nations Development Programme)coreUNDP partners with Fair Trade Lebanon on multiple initiatives including the SME empowerment program (50 startups and MSMEs in Matn), the Zgharta agricultural innovation project (40 entities, 3 cooperatives, 60 farmers), and fostering economic growth in coastal and northern Maten.
- Ministry of Economy and Trade (Lebanon)coreFair Trade Lebanon established strategic MOUs with the Ministry of Economy and Trade under the BIEEL project, working on public-private partnerships to advance Lebanon's agri-food sector.
- Ministry of Agriculture (Lebanon)coreFair Trade Lebanon maintains an MOU with the Ministry of Agriculture as part of its cooperative development and agri-food export initiatives.
- Ministry of Industry (Lebanon)coreFair Trade Lebanon has an MOU with the Ministry of Industry, collaborating on initiatives such as the Made in Lebanon Expo to promote Lebanese industrial and agricultural products.
- La GuildesecondaryLa Guilde is an implementation partner in the Sanadkoun project alongside Fair Trade Lebanon, focused on improving nutrition and resilience for vulnerable communities in South Lebanon, Bekaa, and Baalbek-Hermel.
- Naba'asecondaryNaba'a is an implementation partner in the Sanadkoun project, contributing to food security and livelihood support for vulnerable populations.
- Farah Social FoundationsecondaryFarah Social Foundation partners with Fair Trade Lebanon in the Sanadkoun project to support vulnerable families with nutrition and resilience programs.
- NusanedsecondaryNusaned is an implementation partner in the Sanadkoun project, providing support for food assistance and livelihood programs.
- Lebanese Order of MidwivessecondaryThe Lebanese Order of Midwives collaborates with Fair Trade Lebanon in the Sanadkoun project, focusing on maternal and child health support within vulnerable communities.
- Ministry of Education and Higher Education (Lebanon)coreThe Ministry of Education collaborated with Fair Trade Lebanon on the Healthy Schools Project, supporting 144 public schools with nutritious food boxes and sandwiches sourced from local agricultural cooperatives.
Scale indicators11 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Fair Trade Lebanon competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Mercy Corps: Mercy Corps is a global humanitarian and development NGO working on food security, economic recovery, and resilience in crisis-affected countries. It is broadly comparable to FTL because both deliver donor-funded livelihoods, food assistance, and SME programs in Lebanon and similar fragile contexts.
- Fairtrade International: Fairtrade International is the global umbrella organization that sets fair-trade standards and licenses the FAIRTRADE Mark. It is comparable to Fair Trade Lebanon because both operate at the intersection of fair-trade certification, producer support, and ethical supply chains, though Fairtrade is the much larger, multi-stakeholder governing body while FTL is a single-country WFTO member.
- Swisscontact: Swisscontact is a Swiss foundation for development cooperation that promotes economic, social, and ecological development through private-sector engagement. It is comparable to FTL because both run donor-funded (SDC, BMZ) projects in agricultural value chains, vocational training, and SME market access in fragile economies.
- Oxfam: Oxfam is a large international confederation focused on poverty alleviation through economic justice, gender, and food security programming. It is broadly comparable to Fair Trade Lebanon because both operate as donor-funded development NGOs implementing multi-country, multi-sector livelihood and food-security projects, though Oxfam operates at global scale.
- World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO): WFTO is the global membership body of 76-country fair-trade enterprises of which Fair Trade Lebanon is the only Lebanese member. They are directly comparable around the WFTO Guarantee System, fair-trade principles, and producer-support frameworks, though WFTO sets standards while FTL implements them on the ground.
Regional players
- Berytech: Berytech is a Lebanese ecosystem-builder that supports startups and SMEs through incubation, acceleration, and funding programs. It is a regional peer to FTL because both operate Lebanon-based programs supporting SMEs and cooperatives with capacity-building and market access, though Berytech focuses on tech and high-growth startups while FTL focuses on agri-food and traditional sectors.
- René Moawad Foundation: René Moawad Foundation is a Lebanese development NGO focused on rural community development in northern Lebanon. It is a direct regional peer because both organizations run multi-donor rural development and agricultural support programs targeting Lebanese cooperatives and vulnerable communities.
Emerging players
- Slow Food International: Slow Food is a global movement focused on preserving traditional food, biodiversity, and sustainable agriculture through producer networks and markets like Terra Madre. It is comparable to FTL because both champion fair-trade principles, traditional Lebanese/Mediterranean food heritage, and direct market linkages for small-scale producers.
Direct peers
- TechnoServe: TechnoServe is a non-profit that works with enterprising people in the developing world to build competitive farms, businesses, and industries. It is directly comparable to Fair Trade Lebanon because both focus on SME and cooperative capacity-building in agri-food value chains with donor-funded program models in fragile markets.
- CBI Netherlands (Centre for the Promotion of Imports from developing countries): CBI is a Dutch agency that helps SMEs in developing countries access European markets through export coaching and value-chain programs. It is directly comparable to FTL's BIEEL export platform, as both operate public-funded programs that build export capacity for agri-food SMEs in developing economies.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Fair Trade Lebanon social profiles
Digital presenceFair Trade Lebanon compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Fair Trade Lebanon financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Fair Trade Lebanon leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Fair Trade Lebanon subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
Fair Trade Lebanon funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Fair Trade Lebanon M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Fair Trade Lebanon
What does Fair Trade Lebanon do?
Fair Trade Lebanon is a non-profit NGO that empowers rural Lebanese communities through sustainable agro-food development, cooperative capacity building, and market access facilitation. Its core services include business support and export enablement for SMEs, agroecology and climate-resilient agriculture training, blue economy programs for coastal communities, and livelihoods and food security programs for vulnerable populations. It also operates two commercial platforms: the Terroirs du Liban WFTO-certified e-commerce storefront and the BIEEL export platform connecting cooperatives to international buyers.
Is Fair Trade Lebanon a public or private company?
Fair Trade Lebanon is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Fair Trade Lebanon founded?
Fair Trade Lebanon was founded in 2006. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Fair Trade Lebanon based?
Fair Trade Lebanon is headquartered in Hazmie, Lebanon, in the Middle East region.
How does Fair Trade Lebanon make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Institutional Donor Project Funding is the primary driver. The others are social Enterprise - Terroirs du Liban.
Who are Fair Trade Lebanon's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Mercy Corps, Fairtrade International, Swisscontact, Oxfam and World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO). Regional players are Berytech and René Moawad Foundation. Slow Food International is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are TechnoServe and CBI Netherlands (Centre for the Promotion of Imports from developing countries).
Does Fair Trade Lebanon have an API?
No public API is recorded for Fair Trade Lebanon.
What industry is Fair Trade Lebanon in?
Fair Trade Lebanon's product category is International Development and Rural Community Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGALAL, Fair Trade & Ethical Supply Chains (Certification, Traceability, Producer Support), with a secondary code of BPAGALAD, Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems (Fair Trade, Food Access, Regenerative). Its NAICS code is 424 and its SIC code is 5140.