British consumers continue to shop sustainably despite inflation

How Fairtrade works

Fairtrade has been around for 30 years and has become one of the world’s most trusted ethical labels.

It works by certifying companies that operate under safe working conditions, deploy sustainable practices locally, and offer fair terms of trade for farmers and workers.

Fairtrade sets a minimum price for products – from tea and rice to flowers and gold – to ensure that producers are paid fairly for their goods. It also provides them with a financial bonus to put towards community projects related to education, healthcare, and clean water.

There are over 6,000 Fairtrade products currently in circulation, which are easily identifiable by a sticker or print containing the logo below.

Why is this noteworthy?

In times of financial strain, experts say it is far more likely that people will abandon their social and ethical values to protect their own wallets.

However, an increased awareness of the environmental and social issues related to global production processes appears to be influencing shoppers to stick to the habit of shopping sustainably.

Working with farmers and workers across 70 countries and collaborating with over 1,900 producer organisations, Fairtrade is helping to improve living standards, raise investments in local communities and businesses, and protect our shared environment.

As the climate crisis looms and the fight for a fairer society continues, it’s encouraging to see that people would still prefer to sacrifice £1-2 pounds for a product that they know is not bringing harm to people or our planet.