Growth drives development

25 years after the introduction of Fairtrade products, there were 1.37 billion euros of sales nationwide in 2017, an increase of 15 percent over last year. The producers in the southern hemisphere received -in addition to market and minimum prices- over 25 million euro in premiums, which they invested in community projects. The impact study published today by the Center for Evaluation demonstrates the positive impact of Fairtrade on rural development in producing countries. Despite these successes, smallholder agriculture is still under threat.

"Trade profits must be distributed more equitably," said TransFair CEO Dieter Overath at this year's annual press conference. "More added value in the southern hemisphere is necessary to create fair wages for families in Africa, Asia and Latin America." Supervisory Board Chairman Heinz Fuchs added: "Politicians and industry alike are called upon to achieve their sustainable development goals by 2030."

According to current study results, Fairtrade-certified banana producers such as APPBOSA in Peru benefit from sustainable financial stability

Fairtrade products are very much in demand
Producers in the southern hemisphere generated 23 percent more money due to rising sales. Money they can invest according to their own wishes. The growth drivers: Coffee reached 18,000 tons, an increase of 8 percent. 87,000 tonnes of bananas represent an increase of 21% over last year, 37,000 tonnes of raw cocoa - increase of 23%. With 406 million stems sold, flowers grew by 4 percent. Today, 360 partner companies nationwide offer 5,500 Fairtrade products in supermarkets, discounters, specialist shops and in the catering trade. 73 percent of them are also certified organic.

Broad alliance for Fairtrade
More and more people support fair trade. The non-profit organization Transfair is supported by 31 member organizations. And 535 Fairtrade Towns, 476 Fairtrade Schools, 17 Fairtrade Universities and many volunteers are campaigning for more global justice. At the Coffee Fairday, this broad coalition called on the federal government to abolish the coffee tax on Fairtrade coffee, thereby promoting sustainable consumption. The petition was sent to Development Minister dr. Gerd Müller, who will hand over these demands to the cabinet. Transfair welcomes this first step towards a more sustainable tax reform.

This year will see the launch of the Fair Week, the largest joint action week for all fair trade players in Germany, under the motto "Fair Trade and Climate Change". In this, Fairtrade will focus on the banana trade.

For more information:
www.fairtrade-deutschland.de