Sales figures for Fairtrade continue to increase
UK shoppers continue to show their support for Fairtrade, with new independent sales figures revealing that retail sales for Fairtrade grew by 7% in 2017, alongside increased business engagement.
The independent data from Kantar Worldpanel underlines the extent to which the UK public continues to support Fairtrade. Volumes were also up, with a 2.5% growth in the 52 weeks ending 31 December 2017.
The figures back up the findings of the Fairtrade Foundation, which show public support for Fairtrade at an all-time high. New data shows that 93% of people are aware of Fairtrade while 83% of people trust the Fairtrade Mark.
Among the best performing categories was Fairtrade alcohol, which saw volume growth of 29%, driven in part by the continued growth of Co-op’s Own Label Fairtrade wine as well as Tesco expanding their range of Finest Fairtrade wine. Elsewhere, the volume of frozen confectionery sold grew by more than 30%, with 2017 the year Ben and Jerry’s launched their Non Dairy ice cream – a Fairtrade first in the UK.
These figures represent only one part of the Fairtrade picture, as they exclude out of home sales, through coffee shops and other outlets and the impact of Fairtrade’s wider programme partnership work with companies such as Mondelez and Waitrose.
During the course of 2017 Fairtrade saw continued support from business. Among the more notable developments were: Co-op’s commitment to switching all the cocoa it uses to Fairtrade and Waitrose’s commitment to making 100% of its own-label tea.
Fairtrade is exploring new ways of working with business and has undertaken a supply chain mapping and transparency pilot, funded by the Department for International Development. Through this work Fairtrade is well placed to play an influential role as a partner to businesses looking to tackle human rights abuses and modern slavery risks in their supply chains.
Despite advances being made, Fairtrade said that much more needs to be done to prevent farmers and workers around the world not receiving sufficient payment for their labour.
The Fairtrade Foundation is calling on Fairtrade businesses to demonstrate why they support Fairtrade during Fairtrade Fortnight and show the impact it can have.
Commercial developments this Fairtrade Fortnight include:
· Co-op becomes the first retailer to only use 100% Fairtrade roses when sourced from Africa in all of its flower bouquets. The move will see almost 35 million Fairtrade roses being sourced from Africa each year.
· Both Aldi and Lidl have entered into global agreements with Fairtrade to increase the use of Fairtrade cocoa in their confectionery category across the UK and Europe.
· Divine Chocolate announced its highest ever turnover (£14million) for the year 2016-17 with sales in the US passing the $10m mark for the first time.
The news comes on the first day of the Fairtrade Fortnight “Come On In” campaign, calling on the public and businesses to stand with farmers to close the door on exploitation and ensure they get a fair deal.
The new figures are being released on the same day the Fairtrade Foundation unveiled a giant double doorway opening onto a scene from a banana farm on the Millennium Footbridge between St Paul’s Cathedral and the Tate Modern, London.
Catherine David, head of commercial partnerships, said: “It is wonderful to see the UK public continuing to support Fairtrade in getting a better deal for farmers and workers. We also continue to see amazing support from businesses who see the value in Fairtrade and the benefits it brings.
“We are always looking at new ways of working with our commercial partners, and our transparency work will allow companies to clearly see how working with Fairtrade can help their business.
“This Fairtrade Fortnight we are asking more people in the UK to come on in to Fairtrade and help forge a fairer future for the farmers and workers we rely on for many of our favourite products.”
