PICK N PAY TAKES THE LEAD WITH FAIRTRADE IN SOUTH AFRICA
31.08.2010 - South Africa's leading supermarket Pick 'n Pay has officially announced its commitment to Fairtrade along with the assurance to stock Fairtrade products as they become available locally.
"We are eager to work closely with Pick 'n Pay to increase the availability of Fairtrade products for local consumers as well as to develop new ranges exclusively for our African market", comments Boudewijn Goossens, executive director of FLSA, who has made this deal possible after several meetings and negotiations with the supermarket's sustainability department headed by Bronwen Rohland. "With more than 700 stores around the country we will be a key player in the creation of a Fairtrade market in South Africa, as well as in the promotion of new local and regional Fairtrade supply chains", says Rohland.
South Africa is one of the largest Fairtrade-producing countries in the world, supplying everything from fruits and vegetables, wine and coffee to rooibos tea, herbs, spices, and nuts. The broad range of products is however mainly destined to Europe and the USA, where Fairtrade receives strong support from consumers and the retail industry.
A growing demand for locally produced sustainable products in encouraging the creation of a domestic market for Fairtrade. Boudewijn Goossens adds "What we want to achieve is a dramatic increase in the number of people benefiting from Fairtrade in South Africa and in Africa, namely small farmers, farm workers, their families and communities". It is estimated that in 2009 more than 16.000 small farmers and farm workers benefited directly from Fairtrade in South Africa only.
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