Cardiff among top cities to buy Fairtrade products in their weekly shop, new study shows

Nearly 70% of shoppers have bought a Fairtrade item in the past year

Nearly 70% of shoppers have bought a Fairtrade item in the past year
Author: George SymondsPublished 11th Sep 2024
Last updated 11th Sep 2024

Recent data reveals that nearly 70% of shoppers have bought a Fairtrade item in the past year.

Cardiff is among the leading cities in the UK for Fairtrade purchases, the top being Edinburgh, with 89% of respondents from the Scottish capital stating they have bought a Fairtrade product.

The foundation believes this surge in ethical consumerism is part of a broader movement to ensure farmers and workers worldwide receive fair pay for their efforts.

Since Fairtrade began 30 years ago, almost £2 billion in Fairtrade Premiums have been generated.

These funds are used to 'empower producers to invest in vital community projects, improve healthcare, education, and help environmental sustainability' says Fairtrade.

The initiative currently supports over 10 million people, including farmers and their families.

According to findings from two new YouGov studies, the most popular Fairtrade items bought are bananas (57%), closely followed by chocolate (54%) and coffee (43%).

Last year, sales generated approximately £28 million in Fairtrade Premiums, with popular items cocoa and tea up 6% and 5% respectively, while less popular items vegetables (15%) and nuts and oil seeds (12%) also grew.

According to two new YouGov studies published in September, more than half (54%) of people understand that it has a positive impact on the lives of farmers and workers, while 85% those in low-income countries should receive stable and fair pay for the products they grow.

Meanwhile, concerns around the impact of climate change on food prices is prevalent, with four in five (79%) worried about the rise in prices this will cause.

A similar figure – 69% – are concerned about the potential effect of climate change on the supply of food in the UK.

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