Fair Trade Lebanon

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.

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

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 industry

PRIMARYBPAGALAL

Fair Trade & Ethical Supply Chains (Certification, Traceability, Producer Support)

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Social Enterprises & Impact Organizations

SECONDARYBPAGALAD

Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems (Fair Trade, Food Access, Regenerative)

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Social Enterprises & Impact Organizations

SECONDARYBPADAMAM

Inclusive Trade (Gender, Youth, Marginalized Groups)

Business & Public Services/International Organizations & Development/International Trade & Economic Development

SECONDARYAFAIAJAK

Organic & Natural Foods Import/Export & Global Trading

Agriculture & Food Production/Food Distribution & Wholesale/Organic & Natural Foods Wholesale

SECONDARYAFALAMAD

Fair Trade & Ethical Sourcing Certification Services

Agriculture & Food Production/Food Safety, Testing & Certification/Certification Services (Organic, Non-GMO, etc.)

Keywords

• Rural community development
• Fair trade services
• Agro-food market access
• Cooperative capacity building
• Livelihoods and food security

Headquarters

HQ city

Hazmie

HQ country

Lebanon

HQ region

Middle East

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. 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

Core 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

Named customers7 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

29 partnerships are on record, tiered secondary and core.

• Al MajmouasecondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2025Al Majmoua, Lebanon's largest microfinance institution, is a partner in the Tarik Akhdar project, contributing to inclusive finance initiatives for rural cooperative development.
• ADIEsecondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2025ADIE 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.
• SIDIsecondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2025SIDI 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 MontpelliercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2025CIHEAM 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 HungercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2025Action 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) - LebanonsecondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2025CNRS 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 DeveloperssecondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2025Lebanese 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 DevelopmentsecondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2025Tabitha 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)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2025Fair 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)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2025The 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)secondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Fair 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 LebanoncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2024Save 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 Venture37secondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2024USAID 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)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024GIZ 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)secondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024FAdM 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) - LebanonsecondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023ADR 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)secondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023CUEIM 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)secondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023MEDSEA Foundation is a partner in the MedArtSal project, contributing to the sustainable management of artisanal salt pans in the Mediterranean.
• IUCN Centre for Mediterranean CooperationsecondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023IUCN 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)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019UNDP 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)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFair 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)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFair 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)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFair 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 GuildesecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerLa 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'asecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerNaba'a is an implementation partner in the Sanadkoun project, contributing to food security and livelihood support for vulnerable populations.
• Farah Social FoundationsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerFarah Social Foundation partners with Fair Trade Lebanon in the Sanadkoun project to support vulnerable families with nutrition and resilience programs.
• NusanedsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerNusaned is an implementation partner in the Sanadkoun project, providing support for food assistance and livelihood programs.
• Lebanese Order of MidwivessecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe 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)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe 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

Broad 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

• Xx.com/FairTradeLeb
• Facebookfacebook.com/FAIRTRADELEBANON
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fair-trade-lebanon
• Instagraminstagram.com/fairtradelebanon

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Fair Trade Lebanon