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Business partnerships boost Fairtrade

New business partnerships have driven sales of Fairtrade products in a “pivotal year” for the scheme.

“Fairtrade has 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,” said Fairtrade Foundation CEO Michael Gidney.

More than 400 companies are now licensed to use the Fairtrade mark on products in the UK.

Since Fairtrade certified Mars bars hit the shelves last year, cocoa cooperatives in West Africa have been able to sell more of their crops, generating the funds to grow their businesses and run them more efficiently, the Foundation noted in its annual report.

Growth in UK sales of major Fairtrade categories such as tea, coffee, cocoa, bananas have generated almost £30M in Fairtrade Premium for farmers and workers.