Close to 5 billion euros spent on Fairtrade products in 2011

People around the globe spent 4.9 billion euros on Fairtrade certified products last year, according to figures released by Fairtrade International. In Fairtrade’s biggest market, the UK, shoppers spent 12 % more on Fairtrade certified products in 2011 than they did in 2010. In Fairtrade’s first and oldest market, the Netherlands, Fairtrade sales in stores and restaurants grew by 24 %. Around the globe, retail sales of Fairtrade certified products increased by a total of 12 %. Market share of Fairtrade certified products have hit decisive levels in a number of established Fairtrade markets. (Picture: Fairtrade coffee farmer)
 

More than half (55 %) of all bananas bought in Switzerland bear the Fairtrade Mark. Almost half (42 %) of all bagged sugar in UK stores will be Fairtrade certified following the latest supermarket commitment. Meanwhile, growth of Fairtrade sales in new countries is skyrocketing. South Africans spent more than three times more on Fairtrade certified products in 2011 over 2010. Shoppers there can buy Fairtrade products grown by farmers and workers in their own country. In its first year with a national Fairtrade organisation, sales in South Korea registered at 17 million euros. Sales close to doubled in the countries with no national Fairtrade organisation present, to almost 75 million euros. Products with the Fairtrade Mark are now available to people in more than 120 countries on all inhabited continents. Sales grew steadily across all of the leading Fairtrade products: coffee by 12 %, cocoa by 14 %, bananas 9 %, sugar 9 %, tea 8 %, and flowers by 11 %.

Strong Fairtrade sales are great news for the more than 1.2 million farmers and workers working at 991 Fairtrade certified producer organisations in 66 countries. In addition to the income they earned from sales of Fairtrade products, farmers and workers earned an extra 65 million euros in Fairtrade Premium. They spent this money on projects that they decided upon democratically. This included farm improvements and processing equipment, education and career training, community projects and healthcare. Detailed findings, product  and country charts can be found here.

Fairtrade International