2009 GLOBAL SALES FIGURES RELEASED
26.05.2010 - In one of the most difficult economic years on record, consumers spent an estimated €3.4 Billion on Fairtrade products in 2009 - a 15% increase over the previous year.
Despite the worry that Fairtrade producers could lose sales during the global recession, in 2009 disadvantaged farmers and workers benefited from Fairtrade even more than ever before. Fairtrade sales grew in all countries, gaining new customers from the emerging markets of Eastern Europe and South Africa and re-establishing its strong presence in markets such as the UK (14% growth) and the USA (7% growth).
Cocoa and sugar farmers experienced among the strongest leap in sales, 35% and 57% respectively, thanks in part to 100% commitments by global chocolate and confectionery brands including Cadbury Dairy Milk and Nestle's Kit Kat. Sales of 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 12% while wine, one of South Africa's biggest Fairtrade export, grew by 33%.
Global Fairtrade sales translate in huge benefits for the 1.2 million farmers and workers that sell their products through Fairtrade channels. Fairtrade producers belong to 827 organisations in 60 countries - 65 of them based in South Africa.
