Good news from the Fairtrade Foundation!
The Worldwide sales of Fairtrade products increased by an impressive 22% in 2008. In fact, consumers spent an estimated 2.9 billion Euros on Fairtrade products globally. Worldwide sales have more or less doubled for both Fairtrade tea and for Fairtrade cotton items.
Fairtrade bananas sales grew by 28% to 300,000 metric tonnes whilst Fairtrade coffee sales increased 14% to 66,000 metric tonnes.
Ruth Simba, Coordinator of the African Fairtrade Network, the representative body of Fairtrade producers in Africa, said “We are very happy that consumers are supporting Fairtrade in ever increasing numbers. These Fairtrade sales make a real difference to the farmers and workers I represent. As the global recession hits us, the income and stability that Fairtrade brings is all the more important.”
Record UK Fairtrade sales of over £700m were welcomed by Harriet Lamb, Executive Director of the Fairtrade Foundation. She said “We’re delighted that the growth of 43% in Fairtrade sales, keeps us on track with our plan to double the impact of Fairtrade by 2012. In the current global economic climate, farmers need Fairtrade more than ever. So it is profoundly reassuring to know that globally, consumers are still wholeheartedly backing a better deal for farmers and workers around the world, enabling them to survive this crisis and continue investing in stronger businesses and a better life for their communities. And it makes sense for business to build long-term relations with producers on whom they depend while also responding to public demand for Fairtrade.”
There were 746 Fairtrade certified producer organizations representing over one million and a half individual farmers and workers as of the end of 2008. There are at least another 70,000 members of affiliated organisations that belong to Fairtrade certified producer groups that also benefit from Fairtrade, which include women’s groups and other groups not directly involved in the production of Fairtrade products, like cattle herders.
See the full story at http://www.fairtrade.org.uk
