We’re celebrating 30 years of Fairtrade

To coincide with the launch of Fairtrade Fortnight, we’re proud to celebrate 30 years of supporting Fairtrade since the very beginning in 1994, driven by our passionate Co-op Members who have time and again asked us to support this important movement for trade justice. So in the theme of this years ‘Be the Change’, let’s take a look back at all the milestones we’ve achieved together over that time.

Co-op & Fairtrade

It’s hard to imagine a time when Fairtrade products didn’t exist and that iconic logo that sits on the packaging of so many of our favourite products hadn’t yet arrived. But, thanks to our members, our Co-op became one of the first retailers to provide a marketplace for this fledgling concept back in 1994 as it resonated strongly with our founding core values and principles of fairness, community and social responsibility.

It started with Fairtrade coffee in 1992, when we became the first major retailer to sell ethically traded Cafédirect coffee, which went on to become one of the world’s very first Fairtrade products in 1994 and which we are proud to still stock today. This sparked the beginning of a long-standing commitment to sourcing products that support fair prices, decent working conditions, and sustainable farming practices.

For us and our members this was more than just a passing fad or a label. It was something we believed in. Ever since we have continued to pioneer Fairtrade firsts into the UK market. We were the first retailer to bring Fairtrade bananas to the UK in 2000, and to launch an own-brand Fairtrade product; The Co-operative Divine Milk Chocolate.

Over the years, we dramatically expanded our range of Fairtrade products. From coffee and tea to bananas, chocolate, sugar, wine, and even roses, our Co-op has continuously increased its Fairtrade offerings, making it easier for customers to choose ethically sourced goods.

With Fairtrade, farmers and workers disadvantaged by global trade improve their lives and have greater control over their future through the Fairtrade Minimum Price, and Fairtrade Premium. Our commitment to this cause has had tangible impacts on the lives of thousands of farmers and workers worldwide. The Fairtrade Minimum price and premium means communities have been able to invest in education, healthcare, infrastructure, and other critical areas like tackling climate change. This helps to break the cycle of poverty and enables sustainable development.

In 2017, we became the first UK retailer to source all our cocoa for our own label products on Fairtrade terms, increasing our Fairtrade cocoa purchases fivefold at the time, benefiting farmers in West Africa. The move was part of our commitment to support the Fairtrade cocoa farmers, who face challenges such as extreme poverty, informal economies, volatile market prices, poor working conditions, exacerbated by climate change. In 2024, we have extended our roses commitment becoming the first UK retailer to commit to sourcing 100% roses on Fairtrade terms.

Today, we are proud to offer one of the largest ranges of Fairtrade products of any retailer in the UK and make Fairtrade products available to customers across the UK. Co-op leads the market in our Core 7 Fairtrade ingredient approach. 100% of Co-op cocoa (including as an ingredient), tea, coffee, bananas, bagged sugar, roses, and South African wine are Fairtrade. We also sell numerous other Fairtrade products from cotton wool, rum to ice cream. This commitment has not only provided our members with more ethical choices but has also helped to keep Fairtrade in the public eye, raising awareness and demand across the country.

Our Fairtrade impact

In 2023 Co-op’s Fairtrade sourcing supported 182 producer organisations across 27 countries worldwide, generating £4.3 million in Fairtrade Premium for Fairtrade producers and their communities to invest in social, environmental and economic projects of their choice. Fairtrade estimates there are at least half a million farmers and workers benefiting from Co-op’s Fairtrade commitments. Supporting people like Anthony and his community in Ghana.

We were certified Fairtrade in 1996 and we’ve remained certified since then. We entered into a trade relationship with Co-op in 2000 and again have remained partners since then until now… we are so happy to be partners of Co-op’s and to be the first producer to introduce Fairtrade bananas on shelves in Co-op shops. I want to urge members of Co-op to continue along this path and show the example when it comes to ethical trade so that at the end of the day trade is meaningful, trade is impactful, and trade is bringing a lot of relief to people in the Global South.” – Anthony Blay, Agriculture Director, Volta River Estates Limited (VREL), Fairtrade banana producer, Ghana.

Choose Fairtrade – choose a Fairer Future

Yet, whilst there is much to celebrate, producers and workers who grow our food and drink face challenges greater than ever before. The world is facing a climate crisis – it is affecting the foods we love and the communities who produce them. But by choosing Fairtrade you can support farmers on the frontline of the climate crisis and help to protect the future of our food.

That’s why Fairtrade Fortnight is such an important campaign to demonstrate our Co-op’s leadership, share producer stories of the impact it makes to communities around the world and encourage member owners, customers and colleagues to choose Fairtrade.

Find out more about Co-op’s Fairtrade commitments, producers’ testimonies of the impact it makes to them and how you can support in our Co-op Fairtrade Member Pack.

How can you get involved in Fairtrade Fortnight?

Take part in Fairtrade Fortnight by simply choosing Fairtrade, by spreading the word, asking your MP to pledge to ‘Be the Change’ or by hosting a Fairtrade Fortnight event.

Participate in our Fairtrade Fortnight events programme in 1 Angel Square on the 10^th September, Member events online, and encourage your teams to get involved too! Watch out for Member emails for more details and use our Fairtrade Member Pack to learn more.

Use your social networks to promote the campaign! Don’t forget to promote your Fairtrade Fortnight activity on social media by tagging @coopuk and @FairtradeUK in your posts. Use the hashtags: #FairtradeFortnight, #ChooseFairtrade #BeingCoop #BeTheChange

Try one (or more!) of our amazing Fairtrade products, now with 10% off in-store for Co-op Members. Remember, what you put in your basket supports the people producing it to drive positive change in their communities, and the planet we love! Tell your friends and family about the impact it has!

Check out our Fairtrade webpages for more stories and case studies.

Thank you for choosing Fairtrade. It’s the right thing to do.