26th August 2009
Fairtrade sales continue to grow
The Fairtrade Foundation reported that the global market for Fairtrade certified products experienced significant growth in 2008 despite the onset of the global recession. Fairtrade sales grew by an impressive 22% as consumers spent an estimated 2.9 billion Euros on Fairtrade products globally. Major growth was experienced across all main Fairtrade product categories including Fairtrade certified cotton products, which are up by 94%.
These figures signal that increasing numbers of consumers are concerned about the welfare of the people behind the products that they buy. Fairtrade certified cotton is a step in the right direction with many farmers benefiting from being involved in the scheme but the fashion industry needs to do more to ensure that the rights of the workers sewing the clothes also need to be respected.
Read more about Fairtrade certification.
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