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July 19, 2006
Fair Trade Sales of more than $1.38 Billion in 2005
Max Oliva, Associate Director of IE's Social Impact Management
Global sales of Fair trade products have reached € 1.1 billion in 2005, which represents an increase of 37% over the previous year.
According to Fairtrade, all product lines expanded their markets, especially Fairtrade coffee in the U.S. (+ 70,9%) and the U.K. (+ 34%), bananas in Austria (46%) and sugar in France (125%). These Global Fair trade figures are explicitly unveiled at their FLO’s Annual Report.
“The speed at which the sales are growing shows an increasing demand from consumers for a positive model of trade which is fairer and more sustainable for farmers and is helping them to bring development to their communities.”
The impact of just one company can be impressive. That is the case of Marks and Spencer, who recently launched a range of Fair Trade cotton clothing. Other companies like Tesco and Sainsburys are examples of how to bring fair trade products to the end consumer.
It seems that words such as those from Anita Roddick “Don’t underestimate the power of the vigilante consumer…” and others have had a strong impact, at least in the UK. What about other countries? Is it becoming a global movement?
Be part of the Make Trade Fair Campaign from Oxfam.
Read more about Fair Trade at The Rough Guide to a Better World.
Posted on 19 July 2006 in Corporate Responsibility
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