Over 440 companies - from dedicated pioneers to major global players - meet the Fairtrade standards set by Fairtrade Labelling Organisations International to sell products carrying the FAIRTRADE Mark.
100% Fairtrade and beyond
Traidcraft, Fairtrade trailblazing organisation and founder member of the Fairtrade Foundation, celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2009. A Christian response to poverty, Traidcraft now works with producers in more than 30 developing countries. Traidcraft's unique structure as a trading company and a development charity working together makes it an effective influence on mainstream companies' business practices. Innovative, dedicated Fairtrade companies such as Traidcraft are still vital in securing deeper commitment from other companies, because they are continually raising the bar and demonstrating how trade can be done fairly and sustainably.
These dedicated 100% fair trade organisations, with producers at their heart, go the extra mile. The small scale farmers who grow Fairtrade products have a tiny carbon footprint, but they will be the ones who are most impacted by the effects of climate change, so Fairtrade company Cafédirect are funding a pioneering approach to this challenge with their work with German Technological Cooperation (GTZ). The project enables farmers to identify the impact of climate change, design and implement their own adaptation strategies.
Divine, the 100% Fairtrade chocolate company co-owned by Ghanaian cocoa farmers, celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2009. Divine has led the way in its field and, in addition to the Fairtrade deal, delivers 2% of its turnover for producer support and development programmes, and 45% of its distributable profits to the farmers. Recent work has included helping farmers in Sierra Leone set up their own Fairtrade supply chain.
Big new steps
In September 2008, Starbucks became by far the world's largest buyer of Fairtrade certified coffee when the company announced its intention to make all its espresso-based drinks sold in the UK and Ireland Fairtrade by the end of 2009. 'Even though people are under economic pressure, they still want to support those brands with values that are compatible with their own,' said Howard Schultz, CEO, Starbucks.
During Fairtrade Fortnight 2009, iconic British brand Cadbury announced that the UK’s biggest selling chocolate bar, Dairy Milk would carry the FAIRTRADE Mark from late summer 2009. The commitment also includes Cadbury hot drinks, with certification to be completed by 2010. The move will triple Fairtrade sales of cocoa for Ghanaian cocoa farmers and open new doors for thousands more farmers to benefit from the Fairtrade minimum price and additional premium.
- Ben & Jerry's launched its fourth Fairtrade flavour – chocolate macadamia nut – during Fairtrade Fortnight 2009.
- Sainsbury’s Fairtrade sales were worth an estimated £210m in 2008/9, beating their £200m target.
- In 2008 Compass Group’s customers in the health, leisure and catering sectors ate an astonishing 8.3 million Fairtrade bananas, a rise of 84% on the previous year.