UK still 'staunchly loyal' to fairtrade
British consumers continued to support Fairtrade products last year despite financial constraints
British people remained "staunchly loyal" to Fairtrade products in the past year, boosting sales by 12% and giving the sector an estimated retail value of £800 million, figures have shown.
Harriet Lamb, chief executive of the Fairtrade Foundation, praised consumers for supporting communities and small farmers in developing countries during a "desperate year".
"For millions of growers and their families and communities, Fairtrade was able to make the difference that has helped them survive a difficult year and plan for the future," she said.
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- Get involved with The Big Swap for Fairtrade Fortnight
"It is to the credit of the decent British and Irish public that they do care and, despite the recession, they are still voting with their wallets for fairness and want to change the indignities of an unjust trading system."
The Foundation was promoting its "Big Swap" campaign, which asks people to buy one of the 4,500 items carrying the Fairtrade Mark instead of regular products between 22nd February and 7th March - known as Fairtrade Fortnight.
Nearly 71% of UK consumers would be happy to switch at least one item to mark the annual campaign, according to a YouGov survey.
