Campaigners are urging consumers to buy “Welsh milk and Fairtrade coffee”, as new statistics reveal that more of us are shopping ethically. The data reveals that 15% more people in Wales are choosing Fairtrade products than last year, despite the cost of living crisis. 

We at Fair Trade Wales, the national organisation for Fair Trade in Wales, are focusing on Fair Pay for farmers globally this Fairtrade Fortnight – the annual two-week campaign that promotes fair wages, ethical practices, and sustainable farming by encouraging consumers to choose Fairtrade-certified products.

This Fairtrade Fortnight (21 September – 4 October), we are encouraging the public to: 

• buy Fair Trade products from local Fair Trade businesses and grocery shops.
• attend a Fairtrade Fortnight event hosted by their local community. 
• share with others the importance of Fair Trade and why everyone deserves Fair Pay. 
• ask their local Senedd Members to commit to a renewed Fair Trade Nation status. 

Fair Pay – the problem
Many farmers are still paid less than it costs to produce their crops; such as tea, coffee, chocolate and bananas – products that people across Wales buy and enjoy every day. Fairtrade tackles unfair pay through guaranteed minimum prices and the Fairtrade Premium – a model that supports communities in the form of education, healthcare or farming improvements.

Beth Williams from Turtle Bags, a small Fair Trade business in West Wales, said the following:

“Fair Pay is about people and it’s about [the] planet. It’s about offering agency to the farmers and the growers and the makers in their own lives. When they are paid properly, they can protect the soil, the water and nature. Environmental justice begins with social justice.”

Turtle Bags has been supplying shops and stores with Fair Trade, sustainable bags and baskets for over 20 years.

The World’s First Fair Trade Nation
Wales made history in 2008 by becoming the world’s first Fair Trade Nation – with Welsh communities, institutions and the Government taking a stand with farmers and producers around the world. Today across Wales一eighteen years on一there are; 29 active community groups, 34 schools, 8 places of worship, 4 universities and over 17 businesses who work every day to keep Wales’ commitment to Fair Trade alive.

Aileen Burmeister, Head of Fair Trade Wales, said:

“Fair pay should not be considered a bonus; it should be a minimum. Farmers work hard, take on enormous risk, and feed the world. They deserve to earn a living that covers their costs, supports their families, and allows them to plan for the future. Fair Trade makes this possible. Every Fair Trade product sold in Wales directly supports farmers, producers and craftspeople with fair pay.”

Wales and Farming
Farmers in Wales and farmers worldwide are facing many of the same pressures: low prices for their products, climate volatility, price fluctuations, and a declining interest in farming among young people. Fair Trade Wales encourages people to LOAF it: buy Local, Organic and Fairtrade. Buy your milk from Wales, and your coffee from Fairtrade producers.

You can learn more about the key benefits of Fairtrade here.