19/02/2009 - Sales of fair trade goods soar
Fair trade products have been flying off the shelves and sales have jumped by 43% to a retail value of around £700 million, figures show.
The increase happened between 2007 and 2008 and the Fairtrade Foundation said it was "delighted" because it meant more money for farmers in developing countries who are also struggling during the recession.
A report highlighted the problems faced by growers in developing countries and urged businesses to extend the range of fair trade products they sell.
It said that many farm workers in Uganda, Malawi, Nicaragua, India, Sri Lanka and the Caribbean are spending 80% of the family's household budget on basic food items.
The report said: "Rocketing food, fuel and fertiliser prices have had a devastating effect on their livelihoods - in some cases, families have been forced to cut out meals, take children out of school and reduce the amount of land they plant, or even sell some of their land, as they can no longer afford to farm it or buy fertilisers to keep up production."
Harriet Lamb, chief executive of the Fairtrade Foundation, said: "These are tough times for everyone, but they're desperate times for many poor communities and small farmers in developing countries. They urgently need support to keep producing the food we all eat, and to provide a future for their families."
Copyright © Press Association 2009
Related links
|
