In 2015 the Swiss bought 520 million CHF (522 million USD) of fair trade products with the Max Havelaar label. Flowers and bananas are the largest share according to the Fairtrade organization. Compared to the previous year the sales of fair trade products increased by 11.4%. “Fair trade products are definitely not a niche product anymore,” stated the Max Havelaar foundation. The per capita consumption increased from 57 CHF to 62 CHF in 2015, despite the difficult year in the retail sector.
According to the Max Havelaar foundation Switzerland has an international leading role. Trade, caterers and municipalities increasingly focus on sustainability and more fair trade products are part of their range and become the standard.
Several times a year pineapples are harvested in Ghana. Depending on the size they are shipped to different markets. The biggest pineapples go to Italy.
Photo: Remo Naegeli
Before export the pineapples are treated with wax. This protects them against pests and keeps the pineapple from drying out.
Photo: Remo Naegeli
Every second banana is a fair trade banana
The bestselling fair trade products are bananas, with a share of 53% compared to standard bananas. The Max Havelaar pineapple has a market share of 43% and a quarter of the fruit juice sold has a Fair-Trade-Label. The sales of chocolate and cocoa has increased too, according to the Max Havelaar foundation this is due the Fairtrade Cocoa Program that started in 2014.
The main Fairtrade sellers in Switzerland are the two big retailers Migros and Coop. Coop offers the largest range of Fairtrade products. The retailer claims that every second Fairtrade product sold in Switzerland is sold at Coop.
Producers in developing countries are adequately compensated
By buying fair trade products Swiss consumers contribute to the adequate compensation of the producers in developing and emerging countries. “To achieve change, smallholders and laborers need fair access to the world market and have the option to participate and decide on projects for their development,” states Nadja Lang director of the Max Havelaar Foundation. Trade works when, not only the producers but also the industry, commerce, politics and consumers participate.