_{Photo by Love Zimbabwe Charity: ‘March for Africa’ – Abergavenny Food Festival}

From discussions with Members of the Senedd to student pop-ups and banana-fuelled park runs, Fairtrade Fortnight 2025 was a powerful reminder that fairness starts with the choices we make every day.

Across Wales, Fairtrade supporters marked the fortnight (22 September – 5 October) with energy and creativity, uniting communities under this year’s theme of ‘Do it Fair’ – which focused on the rights of tea farmers.

At Fair Trade Wales, we kicked off the campaign alongside Anwen, Co-op member activator, at Carmarthen Students’ Union, chatting with students about how small switches like choosing Fairtrade tea or chocolate can create global impact. In Cardiff, our pop-up welcomed Members of the Senedd to discuss our policy asks for the 2026 elections, with conversations focusing on sustainability, climate justice and fair livelihoods for farmers worldwide. Later in the fortnight, we joined Jenipher of Jenipher’s Coffi and Clare Bowman at an event in the Cardiff Students’ Union to inspire a new generation of Fairtrade advocates in the capital city.

We were also thrilled to see the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Jane Hutt MS, issue a statement supporting Fairtrade Fortnight, reinforcing Wales’ long-standing commitment as the world’s first Fair Trade Nation. Some words from the statement:

“The Welsh Government remains firmly committed to supporting fair trade and ethical consumption. Fairtrade empowers producers across the globe, helping to safeguard the future of our favourite foods, essential products, and the planet.”

But the celebration stretched all across Wales too:

• Monmouthshire held over 30 events, celebrating the ‘Biggest Ever Fairtrade Coffee Morning’, including school assemblies and online workshops partnering with Size of Wales.
  
• Barry Town Council brought Fairtrade into the spotlight with a front-page feature and a community coffee morning hosted by their local Mayor, Cllr Dennis Clarke.
  
• Dinas Powys have been busy educating others on the power of Fair Trade in their local library, churches, cafes and primary schools.
  
• Bangor University did a free giveaway of Fairtrade hot drinks – which are still being given out until the 12th of November!
  
• In Snowdonia, Fairtrade coffee farmer Jenipher Sambazi discussed the ongoing threats of climate change in farming with local farmers in the area.
  
• St Aidan’s Primary School in Pembrokeshire hosted a series of Fairtrade-themed football activities to support the Fairtrade producers of the footballs in Pakistan.
  
• Porthcawl hosted a Ugandan night in a local coffee shop with Jenipher of Jeniphers Coffi making a special appearance!
  
• Swansea and Clydach Fairtrade groups teamed up with Co-op for a ‘Brew It Fair’ parkrun event, banana costumes included! And made a display in a local library to highlight the importance of buying Fairtrade tea.
  
• Abergavenny Fairtrade Town hosted their annual ‘March for Africa’ through the town at the Abergavenny Food Festival, and presented multiple fair trade mentions in local churches with plenty of Fairtrade coffee and tea flowing!

Plus many more amazing efforts all over Wales. 

These events show what’s possible when communities come together to advocate for fairness. Each raffle ticket sold, every Fairtrade banana handed out, and every conversation about ethical shopping brings us closer to a world where the products we buy benefit every individual involved in the process.

We are blown away at the effort shown this year and want to thank every volunteer, supporter, and partner who made this year’s Fairtrade Fortnight one to remember. Together, we’re proving that fair trade isn’t just a movement – it’s a shared commitment to a fairer, more sustainable future for all.

There is still time to sign the petition to Brew it Fair.

Ask the UK government to protect the human rights of people in the tea industry, and honour their international climate finance commitment.

Sign the petition today.