Bonn / DE. (06.03. / flo) In one of the most difficult economic years on record, consumers spent an estimated 3,4 billion EUR on Fairtrade products in 2009 – a 15 percent increase over the previous year.
«As 2009 began in the midst of the worst recession in 70 years, we worried that Fairtrade producers could lose sales. Instead, consumers across the globe bucked the trend and proved their deep commitment to giving producers a fair deal. Fairtrade sales grew in all countries», says Rob Cameron, CEO of Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International (FLO), the global Fairtrade body.
Cocoa and sugar farmers experienced among the strongest leap in sales, 35 percent and 57 percent respectively, thanks in part to 100 percent commitments by global chocolate and confectionary brands. Sales in Fairtrade herbs and spices multiplied as FLO opened its scope to include all varieties of herbs and spices. Coffee, the pioneering Fairtrade product, grew steadily at twelve percent.
Fairtrade gained new customers outside of its traditional markets. Sales grew exponentially in Eastern Europe, South Africa, and many countries in the global south. Shoppers in established Fairtrade markets also bought more. The largest Fairtrade markets had strong growth: 14 percent in the United Kingdom and seven percent in the United States.
These sales made a big impact for the 1,2 million farmers and workers now selling through Fairtrade. They benefited from stable, higher-than-market income including Fairtrade Premium funds for development projects. Coffee farmers invested 14,5 million EUR and banana producers over twelve million EUR into community and business development. Fairtrade producers belong to 827 organizations in 60 countries.
