The Fairtrade Foundation's latest annual report highlights some notable successes. The organisation now has 1.6 million growers in 75 countries. Over the past year, certified banana sales rose by 12%, coffee by 18% and cocoa by 27%.
On the other hand, Fairtrade sugarcane farmers saw their market shrink by 32% after the EU changed its rules to allow more beet sugar into the food system. And the situation for cane farmers is likely to worsen in 2017, when the EU removes beet quotas completely. The change illustrates the vulnerability of small-scale farmers selling into powerful trading blocs.
Fairtrade International is the umbrella organisation that coordinates the work of Fairtrade bodies across the world. Based in Bonn, Germany, it sets international Fairtrade standards and develops global policy. It has just published its Global Strategy for 2016-2020, which ties its plans to eight of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. This will guide the activities of Fairtrade groups, including Sustain member the Fairtrade Foundation in the UK, for the next five years.
Read the Annual Report here and the Global Strategy here.
Find out more about Sustain's work for a fairer, greener food supply here.
Sustain: Sustain The alliance for better food and farming advocates food and agriculture policies and practices that enhance the health and welfare of people and animals, improve the working and living environment, enrich society and culture and promote equity.
