Forty-three leading UK retailers and brands are urging their sectors to commit to sourcing on Fairtrade terms to ‘Do it Fair’, by sourcing on Fairtrade terms, in a united push to improve the lives of millions of farmers and workers who grow the food on our shelves but remain excluded from prosperity.
The business coalition calls for an increase in Fairtrade sales of everyday essentials like bananas, cocoa, coffee and tea to support a level playing field for farming communities facing growing threats from climate change, market instability and global supply chain shocks.
It comes as the Fairtrade Foundation marks its annual Fairtrade Fortnight campaign ‘Do it Fair’, encouraging businesses, MPs and consumers to choose products that support farmers through Fairtrade’s minimum price guarantee, premium payments, rigorous standards and programmes.
Kerrina Thorogood, Director of Partnerships, the Fairtrade Foundation said: “We all deserve the ability to live safe, fulfilling lives and look after our families. In the UK, as consumers and business leaders, we have real power and influence to change the way our goods are produced and traded in partnership with farmers and workers.”
New research undertaken by Kantar and released for Fairtrade Fortnight shows that UK consumers want businesses to step up (81%), with one in five saying businesses should take full responsibility for fair and sustainable practices in their supply chains. Meanwhile 59% back mandatory Human Rights and Environmental Due Diligence (HREDD).
Three quarters of the public say their shopping habits are the most meaningful way to help build a fairer world, a belief reflected in the growing value of the green pound.
Shirine Khoury-Haq, Co-op Group CEO, said: “Co-op is a pioneer supporter of Fairtrade since the launch of the mark in 1994 and we are 100 percent committed to sourcing Fairtrade ingredients and products.
“Communities producing our most loved ingredients, such as cocoa, bananas, tea and coffee, are experiencing the direct consequences of climate change. Our collective commitment to Fairtrade is essential to ensure that the future of food and drink that we as a nation depend on is secure for generations to come and most importantly that the producers are treated with the respect they deserve and paid fairly. We call on other businesses to join us in committing to Fairtrade, for a fairer future for farmers and workers.”
Ruth Cranston, Sainsbury’s Director of Sustainability, said: “At Sainsbury’s, we’re committed to playing our part in building a more sustainable and resilient food system, and a key part of this is supporting the producers and farmers at the heart of the products we know and love.
“Collaboration is essential to this, which is why we are proud to have been a partner of Fairtrade for over 20 years. Our work with Fairtrade partnership helped us to become the first retailer to invest in closing living wage gaps for banana workers – three years ahead of the industry commitment – and moving to longer-term sourcing commitments with banana suppliers to provide them with greater stability and financial security.
“It has also seen us convert all of our classic by Sainsbury’s tea to Fairtrade earlier this year, meaning that producers will now earn an estimated additional £1,000,000 annually in Fairtrade premium, supporting them in improving social, economic and environmental conditions. It’s more important than ever that we’re stepping up to the plate to support producers and growers, working in collaboration with others to tackle the challenges the food sector faces.”
Bryan Martins, CEO Ecotone UK, said: “ I am proud of the fact that Clipper is a founding Fairtrade organisation, supporting the creation of the Fairtrade tea standards over 30 years ago. Since then, many of our products have been proudly carrying the Fairtrade Mark, and our sales have generated an estimated £7.4m in Fairtrade Premium, supporting tea producers in areas like education and healthcare. But the startling reality is that poverty is still an issue for tea producers – with a recent Fairtrade survey showing that only 1 in 5 Kenyan workers report earning enough to support their families. We realise that Clipper alone cannot solve this issue, and there needs to be an industry-wide effort to deliver transformative change. That’s why we’re calling on more UK businesses to join Fairtrade, and be a force for good.”
The Fairtrade Foundation also released its 2024 Annual Report, revealing that UK retail sales volumes remain steady and businesses collectively generated £28 million in Fairtrade Premiums, funding vital projects such as schools, healthcare, and climate initiatives across farming communities worldwide. The also report showed sales volume increases in the following commodities:
- Fairtrade coffee sales rose by 5% driven by strong supermarket performance
- Tea sales increased by 2%
- Banana sales were up 1%
- Juice, sugar and wine categories saw respective rises of 8%, 3% and 4%.
These figures reflect growing consumer demand for ethically sourced and sustainably produced goods, a trend that the Fairtrade Foundation and its partners aim to amplify through coordinated action.
Fairtrade partners that have joined the rallying call include: Akoma International UK Limited, Bafts, Ben & Jerry’s, BIDBI, Brewgooder, Cafea UK, Cafédirect, Clipper, Co-op, Coffee Plant, Cottsbury Limited, Divine, DRWakefield, English Tea Shop UK Ltd, Fairtrade Warehouse, Finlays, Flamingo Flowers, Greggs, Guylian, Harriet Kelsall Bespoke Jewellery, Karma Cola, Koolskools, Lemonaid Beverages Ltd, Liberation Foods CIC, Little Green Radicals, M&S, Matthew Algie, Neutral, New Juice, Notes Coffee, Permcrest, Sainsbury’s, South Devon Roasters Ltd trading as Owens Organic Coffee, Tate & Lyle Sugars, The Meaningful Chocolate Company Ltd, True Origin Foods, Turtle Bags, Wish4Fairtrade, Y.O.U Underwear, Yes Friends, Zaytoun CIC.
