In 2009, the Fairtrade market in the UK was worth £800 million a year, a 12% increase on 2008. Seven in 10 households purchase Fairtrade goods, including an extra 1.3 million more households in the last year.
There are more than 4,500 Fairtrade certified products carrying the Fairtrade Mark.
More than 7.5 million people – farmers, workers and their families – across 59 developing countries benefit from the international Fairtrade system.
There are over 430 producer organisations selling to the UK and 872 certified producer groups globally, representing more than 1.5 million farmers and workers.
Fairtrade status
- Number of Fairtrade churches: 4,344
- Number of Fairtrade synagogues: more than 30
- Number of Fairtrade mosques: 2
- Number of Fairtrade towns, cities and villages: 342
- Number of Fairtrade Universities and colleges: 76
(Figures from 2007)
Fairtrade Mark
The Fairtrade Mark is awarded by The Fairtrade Foundation to products which meet international fair trade standards set by FLO (Fairtrade Labelling Organisations International).
Traidcraft was among the organisations which helped set up the Fairtrade Foundation.
70% of the UK population recognise the Fairtrade Mark.
Fair trade or Fairtrade?
The Fairtrade Mark is awarded to products which meet internationally agreed standards. However, there are many products for which a standard has yet to be agreed. (Typically, craft, paper and many textile products).
Reputable organizations such as Traidcraft, Tearcraft and the British Association of Fair Trade Shops have for many years sourced these products to standards at least equal to those applying to products covered by the Fairtrade Mark.
To distinguish between these categories of products, we use Fairtrade (one word, capital ‘F’) in relation to those which carry the Fairtrade Mark, and fair trade (two words, no capitals) for the extensive range of products for which the Mark is not yet available.
