Press note: Fairtrade Oranges From South Africa

The UK’s first Fairtrade oranges go on sale today at Co-op and Tesco stores nationwide.

The fruit was produced on Sun Orange Farms in the Sunday’s River Valley in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. These farms are part are part of the Thandi initiative which supports the establishment of empowerment projects in South Africa, where workers become co-owners of fruit farms.

Ian Bretman, Fairtrade Foundation Deputy Director, commented: "We are excited to see the UK launch of the first FAIRTRADE Mark fruit from South Africa in the form of Thandi oranges. We are sure that the British shoppers will be keen to support this innovative partnership by buying fruit that will contribute to the empowerment of farm workers and enable them to become fuller participants in commercial operations."

Oranges are the first Fairtrade citrus fruit to be launched in the UK.

For further information please contact: Fairtrade Foundation press office telephone 0207 440 7679 or mobile 07770 957 451