Global Fairtrade sales increase by 22%

8 June 2009

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Despite the global recession, worldwide sales of Fairtrade products grew by an impressive 22% in 2008 as consumers spent an estimated 2.9 billion Euros on Fairtrade products globally.

The main product areas of Fairtrade growth were in the following product categories.

• Global sales have doubled for Fairtrade tea (112%) and for Fairtrade cotton products (94%). 
• As the products with the highest sales volumes, Fairtrade coffee sales increased 14% to 66,000 metric tonnes (MT) and the market for Fairtrade bananas grew by 28% to 300,000 MT.
  

Fairtrade sales grew by at least 50% in seven countries, including Australia and New Zealand (72%), Canada (67%), Finland (57%), Germany (50%), Norway (73%), and Sweden (75%). The largest markets for Fairtrade products continued to experience strong growth, as sales of Fairtrade certified products increased by 43% in the United Kingdom ( and 10% in the United States. (1) Fairtrade products also gained popularity in a number of new markets, including in Eastern Europe, Eastern Asia, and South Africa.

“We are very happy that consumers are supporting Fairtrade in ever increasing numbers. These Fairtrade sales make a real difference to the farmers and workers I represent. As the global recession hits us, the income and stability that Fairtrade brings is all the more important,” says Ruth Simba, Coordinator of the African Fairtrade Network, the representative body of Fairtrade producers in Africa.

In addition to being paid a price which covers the costs of sustainable production, producer organizations receive a Fairtrade Premium, additional income for community development projects. In 2008, the Fairtrade Premium contributed over 12 million Euros to Fairtrade coffee farmers and over 11 million Euros to Fairtrade banana farmers alone.

Harriet Lamb, Executive Director of the Fairtrade Foundation welcomed record UK Fairtrade sales of over £700m, saying: ‘We’re delighted that the growth of 43% in Fairtrade sales, keeps us on track with our plan to double the impact of Fairtrade by 2012. In the current global economic climate, farmers need Fairtrade more than ever. So it is profoundly reassuring to know that globally, consumers are still wholeheartedly backing a better deal for farmers and workers around the world, enabling them to survive this crisis and continue investing in stronger businesses and a better life for their communities. And it makes sense for business to build long-term relations with producers on whom they depend while also responding to public demand for Fairtrade.’ 

As of the end of 2008, there were 746 Fairtrade certified producer organizations representing over one million and a half individual farmers and workers. There are at least another 70,000 members of affiliated organizations that belong to Fairtrade certified producer groups that also benefit from Fairtrade, which include women’s groups and other groups not directly involved in the production of Fairtrade products, like cattle herders.

ENDS

Note: For table of estimated retail sales see Annex below.
For further information, please contact Reykia Fick at: r.fick@fairtrade.net Tel:+49 228 949 2314
Fairtrade Foundation contact: Faith Mall or Eileen Maybin Tel: 020 7440 8597/7686 faith.mall@fairtrade.org.uk or eileen.maybin@fairtrade.org.uk

Notes:
1. National growth rates listed above are based on figures reported in the local currency.

Estimated Retail Value

Product Retail Value Ranking