Fairtrade business is booming! – Eco-Congregation Ireland

Contrary to what might be expected during the recession, Fairtrade sales continue to grow in Ireland.

In 2010 consumer spending on Fairtrade Certified products grew by an impressive 17%, from €118 million in 2009 to €138 million in 2010. Ireland now has one of the highest per capita spends on Fairtrade Certified products anywhere in the world.

And in 2011 this growth is set to continue:

 the MACE retail group has just announced that 120 of their outlets are converting to Fairtrade Certified coffee provided by Bewley’s

 Java Republic Coffee Company saw growth of 7% in their Fairtrade coffee sales

 the Insomnia Coffee Company has announced the conversion of all its hot chocolate drinks to Fairtrade

 Other initiatives, like the conversion of all Ben & Jerry’s ice-cream to Fairtrade by the end of the year, support this trend

Ireland has the highest number of Fairtrade Towns groups per capita of any country in the world. There are now 48 officially recognised Fairtrade Towns and Cities that have met the Fairtrade Towns criteria.

Donegal and Carrick-on-Shannon will be offically recognised as Fairtrade Towns during Fairtrade Fortnight. And 30 more towns are seeking Fairtrade Town status – adding up to a total of 78 volunteer Fairtrade Town groups around the country.

Is YOUR church Fairtrade? Parishes can apply to become Fairtrade too!

Peter Gaynor, Executive Director with Fairtrade Mark Ireland said; “It’s good to see that people in Ireland continue to support initiatives like Fairtrade. Volunteer groups all around the country have committed their time over many years and we are delighted with how sales are holding up in the teeth of the recession.”

Irish people are being asked to ‘Show Off Your Label’ for Fairtrade Fortnight! The campaign will be supported by guests from Ghana – cocoa farmers, Isaac Baidoo and Stephen Boadi, and Miguel Mateo, a member of a Fairtrade coffee Coop in Guatemala.

See www.fairtrade.ie.