Sales of Fairtrade Mars bars, bananas, coffee and tea are helping to boost agricultural productivity and climate change adaptation
A rise in UK sales of core Fairtrade-certified products over the past year has helped to boost market opportunities and sustainable development among farmers in developing countries, according to the Fairtrade Foundation’s annual report released today.
Sales of Fairtrade-certified goods such as bananas, coffee, cocoa and tea have grown over the past year, which has in turn delivered a “Fairtrade premium” for farmers and workers to improve their practices, boost agricultural productivity and help them adapt to the impacts of climate change, according to the report.
Sales of Fairtrade-certified cocoa grew by five per cent in 2015, generating an estimated £4.8m in Fairtrade premium for farmers and workers. The Fairtrade-certified Mars bar, which went on sale last year, has enabled cocoa co-operatives in West Africa to sell more of their crops, generating funds to run their businesses more efficiently, the report notes.
Meanwhile, Fairtrade tea sales in the UK grew by six per cent in volume, generating a £3.3m premium; banana sales increased by five per cent, providing an £8.2m premium; and coffee sales rose by 11 per cent, raising a £5.75m premium.
The Mars initiative was delivered under Fairtrade’s new “sourcing programmes” project, which has also seen Transport for London become the first UK company and public sector body to source Fairtrade cotton for its workers’ uniforms.
“Last year was a pivotal one for Fairtrade,” said Michael Gidney, Fairtrade Foundation CEO, in a statement. “New business partnerships with Fairtrade have really begun to demonstrate how by working together, companies and charities can drive impact and support communities to develop industries, boosting local economies and enabling societies to flourish.”
More than 400 companies are now licensed to use the Fairtrade mark on their products in the UK, and total estimated sales of Fairtrade products in 2015 exceeded £1.6bn.
Earlier this year, Fairtrade reported significant 2015 sales boosts for flowers, wine and coffee in particular.
“UK shoppers are central to this story,” added Gidney. “Thanks to their continued support of Fairtrade, we’ve seen growth in our core commodities, which is helping farmers and workers get a better deal in sectors where low prices and wages dominate and communities are vulnerable to poverty.”
Michael Holder
