Our top 8 identified high risk areas

1) Modern Slavery & Vulnerable Workers | UK | Fresh Produce and Protein

Identified industry issues

The UK is home to a wide range of food industries which have associated human rights risks due to the prominence of vulnerable workers working within them. According to the Gangmasters & Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA) and independent reports, agriculture is among the worst sectors for modern slavery in the UK. The industry is mainly seasonal and attracts a large number of migrant workers to fill roles such as crop picking and machine operators. Migrant workers are at risk of not knowing their workers’ rights and may be unfamiliar with language, culture and the support networks available in the UK. These issues are further exacerbated by the impacts of political changes and global conflicts which can result in quick changes of labour sourcing countries, further exposing migrant workers to exploitation in recruitment processes. As well as the agriculture industry the UK’s seafood, meat processing and chicken catching sectors are highly vulnerable to exploitative practices, as they rely heavily on migrant labourers too.

How Co-op is taking action

We are committed to eliminating modern slavery from our global supply chains. We are one of the UK retailers leading the way to raise awareness and understanding of the issue among suppliers and through initiatives such as Stronger Together and Food Network for Ethical Trade.

Since 2010 we have run a series of UK regional forums to bring our suppliers together to discuss challenges and share good practice on tackling modern slavery, effective workplace communication, addressing the impact of Brexit, Covid-19, war in Ukraine and promoting diversity and inclusion.
We are a founder sponsor of Stronger Together Consumer Goods Programme, an alliance to reduce forced labour and human trafficking. Since 2013 we have actively supported the roll out of Stronger Together training and tools to all our suppliers with sites in the UK. An independent impact assessment impact assessment in 2017 demonstrated the significant impact of Stronger Together in raising awareness of suppliers on modern slavery and building their capacity in identifying and tackling issues. Our strategic suppliers report on their modern slavery prevention strategies through their annual ethical trade review meetings with Co-op, and through the Stronger Together Progress Reporting Tool. We are also sponsors of the Responsible Recruitment Toolkit and provide our suppliers with free access to the tools and unlimited training on a wide range of courses on topics such as embedding responsible recruitment practices and eliminating recruitment fees
In 2017 we launched our Bright Future programme, which offers the opportunity of a paid work placement and a job in our food business to those who have been rescued from modern slavery. In 2020 this became an independent programme. Read more about our advocacy work to improve victim support and our efforts to raise awareness of modern slavery in our Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement.
In 2018 we trained produce suppliers on the Fresh Produce Consortium temporary accommodation guidance, and worked collaboratively to develop e-learning tools for growers which were launched in April 2019.
We supported the development of the British Retail Consortium Modern Slavery Protocol to help drive consistent practice amongst retailers when handling cases of modern slavery.
In 2019 we launched a toolkit at large-scale conference with M&S, Alliance HR and nGaje to spotlight issues of inclusion in multi-language workforces within food supply chains and provides practical guidance on how to manage this complex area and ensure effective communication.
In response to Covid-19, in 2020 Co-op brought together a coalition of supermarkets and partners to provide a series of free webinars for suppliers. The webinars provided suppliers and workers globally with consistent guidance and support to help identify and manage the potential human rights impacts of Covid-19. We also supported the launch of FoodFarmHelp – a website providing guidance, tools and case studies to help business in the food, agriculture and horticulture industries to better manage Covid related risks and respond to impact of seasonal workers.
In 2020 we became a founder member of the Modern Slavery Intelligence Network – a non-profit collaboration between companies in the UK food sector. The Network aims to develop a structured intelligence-sharing mechanism between members, which will enhance our effectiveness in disrupting modern slavery and labour exploitation practices.
In 2021 we joined Unseen’s Helpline Business Portal which gives us access to any reports of modern which gives us access to any reports of modern slavery or labour abuse within our operations and supply chains, as well as unique trend analysis. This partnership helps support the 24/7 operation of the independent Modern Slavery & Exploitation Helpline, which provides a vital lifeline to those with nowhere else to turn and expert guidance to frontline professionals.
Since 2022 we have annually mapped and published details of all tiers in our high-risk Pork supply chain to help workers coming through the UK Seasonal Worker Scheme (SWS) gain quality and safe seasonal work in the UK. The initiative enables workers to be more informed of the SWS recruitment process and feel empowered to know their rights and where to get support. With other retailers we have collectively identified this app as a proactive, preventative approach to reduce the risk of labour exploitation in the supply chain.
In 2022 we joined nine other retailers and key stakeholders to launch an innovative mobile solution through the Just Good Work app to help workers coming through the UK Seasonal Worker Scheme (SWS) gain quality and safe seasonal work in the UK. The initiative enables workers to be more informed of the SWS recruitment process and feel empowered to know their rights and where to get support. With other retailers we have collectively identified this app as a proactive, preventative approach to reduce the risk of labour exploitation in the supply chain.
In 2022 we worked with key stakeholders to tackle growing risks associated with the UK Seasonal Worker Scheme (SWS). We played an active role in setting up two multi-stakeholder Seasonal Worker Roundtables that has led a wide range of activities and the establishment of the Seasonal Worker Scheme Taskforce in 2023 where Co-op is part of the governance group. Since 2023, we have co-sponsored a UK-wide Grower Roadshow which engaged with the range of stakeholders that use the Seasonal Workers Scheme to reduce labour exploitation risks and enhance the experiences of temporary seasonal workers that come to work in UK horticulture. Full details of the Taskforce’s activities over the last year can be found here.
In 2023 Co-op, alongside other members of the Seafood Ethics Action (SEA) Alliance, commissioned a review of worker welfare in Northern Irish seafood supply chains. We are committed to working collaboratively to follow-up on recommendations at an industry level. In 2024 SEA Alliance members have been supporting Northern Irish Producer Organisations to progress an action plan to address recommendations. In addition, SEA Alliance continues to build relationships with fisher support organisations and stakeholders to provide wider support to migrant crew across the UK catching sector.

Future priorities

We’ll continue to be active participants in the collaborative initiatives outlined above, and we have set out a number of human rights goals as part of our Future of Food ambition to mitigate our risks.

2) Modern Slavery, Vulnerable Workers & Worker Voice | Indonesia, Thailand & Vietnam | Fish & Seafood

Identified industry issues

The Global Slavery Index estimates that there are over 1.8m modern slavery victims in Indonesia, 396,000 in Vietnam and 401,000 in Thailand. The problem is particularly bad in the fishing and seafood industry with systematic violations of rights and forced labour, such as workers being forced to pay a fee to get a job. The risk is exacerbated by the wide use of migrant labour. Additionally, each country also scores poorly on the ITUC Global Rights Index, which measures access to trade union rights.

How Co-op is taking action

Through our participation in a range of collaborative initiatives and working groups we are actively addressing issues in seafood supply chains and have achieved a number of successful results:

Co-op has supported the multi-stakeholder ILO Good Labour Practices (GLP) programme since 2018. This comprehensive fisheries industry improvement programme combines industry labour guidelines with a good labour practices training programme. Special focus is given to unacceptable forms of work such as child labour and forced labour.
Co-op participates in the Seafish Ethical Common Language Group (SECLG) that brings together all sectors of the seafood supply chain to provide a collective response to unethical practices.
We are a founding member of the Seafood Ethics Action Alliance (SEA Alliance), that launched in 2018. This industry alliance shares information, best practice and provide a forum for collective action on ethical risks and social compliance issues related to wild capture fisheries. The group has carried out an in-depth human rights risk assessment for common fisheries, in order to identify those with the greatest risk to workers, including risks of forced labour and trafficking. This comprehensive risk assessment highlights potential high-risk fisheries in Co-op’s, and other SEA Alliance members, supply chains and will inform future opportunities to undertake enhanced due diligence.
In April 2019, we signed the Environmental Justice Foundation’s Charter for Transparency, designed to help supermarkets ensure their seafood supply chains are free from illegal fishing and human rights abuse.
We have publicly shared our wild capture sources on the Oceans Disclosure Project since 2015 and our farmed fish sources since 2019.
We are supporters of the Responsible Fishing Vessel Scheme (RFVS) renamed Best Seafood Practices, which is a voluntary vessel-based programme certifying high standards of crew welfare and responsible catching practices which has been developed in partnership by Seafish and Global Seafood Assurances (GSA).
With one of our key seafood suppliers, we mapped and published details of all tiers in our high-risk warm water prawns supply chain with disaggregated data. This provides us with greater transparency, as well as the ability to identify and address any human rights concerns. We also commissioned and published an independent Human Rights Impact Assessment (HRIA) in prawns (Vietnam), involving extensive stakeholder engagement, in order to understand more deeply the impacts that our business practices have on the wellbeing of those who produce our food. We will be using the findings to drive improvements in the lives of workers and will continue collaborating to ensure that the report’s recommendations are fulfilled.
In 2023 Co-op along with other contributing partners have commissioned a study to map the challenges and opportunities to improve responsible recruitment practices in the global tuna processing sector. We completed this study in 2024 and are taking steps to address recommendations. The study will be published in May 2025.

Future priorities

We will continue to be active participants in the collaborative initiatives outlined above, and we’ve set out a number of human rights goals as part of our Future of Food ambition to mitigate our risks.

3) Modern Slavery & Vulnerable Workers | Spain | Fresh Produce

Identified industry issues

Agriculture in Spain relies on migrant and seasonal labour, with some found to be in exploitative working conditions. Workers – often from Morocco, North Africa or Eastern Europe – are economically vulnerable and often have little education or ability to speak the local language. Women are particularly likely to migrate to Spain for work and are especially vulnerable to exploitation due to social status and language barriers. Regulation and inspection of labour providers in the country is weak. The seasonal nature of agricultural work in Spain leads migrant workers to look for work in other sectors during the off-season which risks economic instability of irregular work. Spain is also impacted by extreme weather which can particularly impact the living conditions and health and safety of workers, particularly those working in outdoor environments.

How Co-op is taking action

From 2012 we’ve ran regular regional events in Spain to build the capacity of our suppliers to drive improvements in working conditions, as part of our global supplier engagement programme.
In 2015 Co-op played a pivotal role in creating the Spain Ethical Trade Forums in 2015 for suppliers, which now has the support of ten supermarkets and many key produce importers. The forums are established in the regions of Murcia, Almeria and Huelva, and provide a safe space for suppliers to share experiences and good practices, discuss their challenges, and work collaboratively to improve working conditions. In 2022, the Spanish Ethical Trade Forum officially became an Association due to the growing scope of activities and increasing number of supplier members.
In 2019 Co-op worked collaboratively with other retailers and Stronger Together to develop a toolkit for suppliers in Spain to reduce the risk of modern slavery and supported the development and roll out of pilot training courses.
We have supported the ETI human rights due diligence pilot project on agricultural supply chains in Spain. This collaborative project aims to improve business competence and capacity in Spain and in the UK in tackling serious human rights risks, in addition to providing examples for wider application across other sectors and in other countries.
In 2023 we became a sponsor of Canal Foros which provides a common grievance channel to all workers in the Spanish fresh food industry. By the end of 2024, nine grievance mechanisms had been implemented covering 5,100 workers which are trained on how to use it.
In 2024 the Spanish Ethical Trade Forums held six online seminars, three regional meetings and one international event reaching over 500 delegates. The Forums launched APP Foros which is free and provides information on labour issues, legal requirements, rights and responsibilities to workers in the agricultural sector. Co-op is a sponsor of App Foros.
We are also participating in the ETI’s “Grievance Mechanisms in Agriculture” project which seeks to improve access to grievance mechanisms for vulnerable workers in agricultural supply chains by: Piloting a process to establish effective operational grievance mechanisms at grower level in Spain and Italy; and supporting a network of civil society organisations in selected countries of origin and transit for migrant workers to share and disseminate accurate information on labour rights and the risk of labour exploitation.

Future priorities

We will continue to be active participants in the collaborative initiatives outlined above, and we have committed to a number of human rights goals as part of our Future of Food ambition.

4) Modern Slavery & Vulnerable Workers | Italy | Canned Tomatoes and Fresh Produce

Identified industry issues

Migration to Europe via the South of Italy has been increasing in recent decades. There are several camps of undocumented migrants in the Puglia agricultural region. Seasonal products that need to be cut or harvested by hand – such as tomatoes, asparagus and grapes – may use undocumented workers, and there is potential for exploitation of those workers either by the direct employer or those acting as an informal agent. Some agents form a ‘caporalato’ (or gangmaster) system – an illegal but entrenched way of recruiting, managing and, in many cases, heavily exploiting casual agricultural workers.

How Co-op is taking action

Co-op has led activity with our main supplier to facilitate engagement with UK and European retailers, Government, local NGOs, industry associations and the ETI, to address these issues. This collaborative approach led to a multi-stakeholder meeting in Salerno, Italy in 2017 and the formation of the Ethical Trade Initiative (ETI) Italian Agriculture Working Group focused on driving collaborative action to improve conditions for migrant worker in Italian agriculture.
In 2022 the ETI Italian Agriculture Working Group ran five events reaching over 100 participants from 83 organisations, amounting to over 200 hours of training. A key focus in 2022 was on grievance mechanisms and supporting suppliers to access new state-sponsored helplines.
We have advocated for change within Italy, and in 2018 presented at the British Embassy in Rome with government and industry representatives to promote an ethical approach in the supply chains to counter labour exploitation.
We have contributed to reports on working conditions in the Italian agricultural industry supply chain and worked with our processing supplier to run supplier training sessions and forums in Puglia, for key co-operatives and grower associations.
In January 2023, we launched a QR code on our Co-op Own Brand Italian Chopped and Plum Tomatoes in collaboration with our supplier, Princes. This QR code function provides greater transparency and educates customers on how Co-op works with the industry to address human rights issues in this supply chain. View the digital experience here - Co-op Italian Chopped Tomatoes | Provenance.
In 2024, we supported the roll out of ETI’s Grievance Mechanism in Agriculture in Italy.

Future priorities

We will continue to be active participants in the collaborative initiatives outlined above, and have set out a number of human rights goals as part of our Future of Food ambition to mitigate our risks.

5) Vulnerable Workers & Worker Voice | Egypt & Morocco | Fresh Produce

Identified industry issues

There is a large proportion of women working in the seasonal produce industry in Egypt and Morocco. In 2011, Oxfam identified issues with working practices for women workers in Morocco such as low wages, poor workplace and transport health and safety standards, and no access to social security payments. Gender-based violence and weak worker voice has also been reported in the Moroccan produce industry. In Egypt, trade union rights are very weak as ranked by the ITUC Global Rights Index, and there are issues of exploitation of vulnerable workers, including children, especially on smaller farms.

How Co-op is taking action

Since 2010, Co-op has supported the Egyptian Supplier Ethical Trade Forum (ESET) where suppliers work together to improve working conditions in Egypt, specifically for those involved in casual labour. The forum has focused on sharing best practice and projects in health and safety, working with temporary workers and labour providers, women’s empowerment and managing excessive working hours.
In 2012, Co-op joined Oxfam, the ETI and other UK retailers to establish the Better Strawberries Group to review the risks identified in Moroccan produce and establish an action plan to address those risks. Initial priorities included helping women access statutory social security entitlements, obtain ID cards and receive the minimum wage. A travelling roadshow explained rights to female workers and their families and the standards they should expect at work. Co-op works closely with suppliers and growers to continue to raise standards for workers in these supply chains.
In 2021 1,500 workers in our food supply chain including a site in Egypt had the opportunity to participate in independent direct worker reporting through direct Co-op engagement with suppliers, using &Wider’s survey tool.
In 2024 Co-op joined a collaborative initiative of retailers, suppliers and Partner Africa to research and develop best practice accommodation guidance in Morocco. The research consists of a survey, field visits, management and worker voice discussions and steerage from the working group to create the guidance. The guidance will be launched in 2025 and will be publicly available to use across the agriculture sector.

Future priorities

We will continue to be active participants in the collaborative initiatives outlined above, and we have committed to a number of human rights goals as part of our Future of Food ambition.

6) Modern Slavery, Vulnerable Workers, Worker Voice & Smallholders | South Africa & Kenya | Fresh Produce, Flowers, Tea & Wine

Identified industry issues

The produce and wine industries in South Africa, which predominantly rely on migrant workers from Zimbabwe and Lesotho, have known issues of exploitation including low wages, long working hours, poor health and safety, and inferior accommodation. In the Kenyan produce sector, there are similar risks for low skilled, uneducated, often female workers. Whilst many improvements have been made, many issues remain due to workers’ lack of education and empowerment, with female workers particularly vulnerable. A distrust of trade unions among employers reduces the ability of workers to change their situation.

How Co-op is taking action

In Kenya, we’ve trained all our growers to implement good working practices on their farms with issues such as excessive working hours, harassment and treatment of casual and seasonal worker covered through regular conferences and events.
In South Africa, we have supported the development of Sustainable Initiative of South Africa SIZA, WIETA Wine and Agricultural Ethical Trading Association and Stronger Together South Africa and continue to collaborate with these initiatives to improve standards.
In 2008 we supported five tea co-operatives in Kenya to form Fintea growers Co-operative Union Ltd (Fintea). We set up a three-year ‘co-operative to co-operative’ trade development project, supporting it to become Fairtrade certified and giving access to market. We leveraged funding from additional supporters including Finlays, Partner Africa and the Food Retail Industry Challenge Fund. The organisation was registered as a co-operative union in 2012 and now represents 12,760 farmers. The Beyond Fairtrade project helped increase incomes by approximately 30%. Following certification, Co-op have committed to purchasing 12% of our 99-blend tea from Fintea.
In 2020 we supported coffee farmers at Mutira Co-operative in Kenya, building climate change resilience and training young farmers as part of the Fairtrade East Africa Youth Programme.
In 2020 we launched our Global Wellbeing Charter, providing close to £1 million to take immediate action to help support global projects and people in our supply chain through the Covid-19 emergency.
In 2020, Co-op and suppliers Fyffes and Finlays donated money as part of the Global Wellbeing Charter to a Fairtrade Covid-19 Relief Fund to support the development of local initiatives and projects to aid economic recovery and build resilience to the pandemic. These projects were implemented by the Latin American and Caribbean Network of Fairtrade Small Producers and Workers (CLAC), and Fairtrade Africa, with support from the Fairtrade Foundation.
In 2020 we supported a collaborative research project led by Partner Africa and &Wider which used Direct Worker Reporting to gain insights into challenges faced by suppliers and workers in Africa during the pandemic. To read the report please click here.
In 2020 we responded to the challenges of the pandemic by supporting two collaborative projects through the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office’s Vulnerable Supply Chains Facility to help build resilience of workers in Africa and address the impact of Covid-19 on flower and agriculture supply chains. The projects sought to improve business recovery and resilience to social and economic impacts of the pandemic, positively impacting the lives of workers in flower and agriculture supply chains in East Africa. Collaborative learning events and a policy paper were delivered for long-lasting impact. You can find out more about the project led by Fairtrade Foundation here and Ethical Trade Initiative here.
In 2021, we launched a three-year climate adaptation and mitigation programme. We were the first UK retailer to invest directly into the Producer Network’s climate strategy, ensuring a farmer-centric approach to adapting to and mitigating against the very worst effects of climate change. With Co-op’s support, The Fairtrade Alliance for Climate-Smart Supply Chains in Africa (FACSCA) worked with 12 at-risk Fairtrade producer organisations in Co-op’s tea, coffee and flower supply chains in Kenya, Ethiopia, and Rwanda, reaching over 19,400 smallholder farmers and workers. Find out more.
In 2022 we supported our supplier Flamingo Flowers to economically empower and increase the confidence and visibility of female flower workers through the two-year Inua Dada programme in Kenya. By end of 2023, almost 6,000 women have benefited from the programme. The impact of the programme has been independently evaluated by Partner Africa and we have published an endline report and learning paper enable us to share best practice, impact and lessons learnt. In the past we have also collaborated with Flamingo on projects including a Graduate Nurse Programme at Naivasha Hospital, and a total renovation of Maua School, Naivasha. You can find out more about case studies of Co-op Future of Food Sourcing Projects with Fairtrade producer communities here or on our website.
In 2022, we converted all the wine we sell from South Africa, both own-label and branded, to Fairtrade to further our support – a world first.
In 2023, we jointly supported independent, in-depth research by human rights experts, THIRST, Women Working Worldwide and Michael Pennant-Jones, into the risk factors for systemic gender-based violence and harassment in the tea sector, an overview of which can be found here.
Since 2023 we have been part of an ETI facilitated Steering Group to work with our Kenyan tea supplier to independent investigate and implement a detailed action plan to address systemic gender-based violence and harassment. The past year has seen progress on the implementation of the action plan that we have supported financially. In April 2024, we joined other buyers to sponsor a roundtable event in Kenya that sought to unite key stakeholders to address the systemic issues in the tea sector. For further details of work in this area please see the ETI website.
In 2024, we joined eight retailers to fund the ETI's Gender Action in Agriculture (GAIA) initiative which aims to engage with companies, workers and their representatives, non-governmental organisations, international institutions, and thematic experts, to arrive at a shared understanding of what factors increase the risk of GBVH in supply chains and how it can be prevented and addressed, building on existing good practice and lessons. These principles, will be shaped by input from over 100 global stakeholders and informed by experiences in South Africa and Kenya, will be ready for adoption and testing from November 2025.

Future priorities

We’ll continue to be active participants in the collaborative initiatives outlined above, and have set out a number of human rights goals as part of our Future of Food ambition to mitigate our risks.

We’ll also improve the lives of workers and smallholders through our ongoing commitment to Fairtrade.

7) Vulnerable Workers & Worker Voice | China | Non-Food

Identified industry issues

Labour turnover and mobility in China is high in many sectors as a result of annual internal migration patterns. Migrant workers on precarious employment contracts are particularly vulnerable to working excessive hours with inadequate pay for overtime, and some vocational student internship programmes in factories are considered indistinguishable from slavery. There can also be discrimination between workers of different hukou status (China’s household registration system). Many workers do not receive their full social security entitlements. And at a governmental and legislative level, freedom of association in China is extremely limited with no independent unions operating in the country. Since 2017 international bodies such as the United Nations and NGOs, including Amnesty International, the World Uyghur Congress and the Uyghur Human Rights Project have been concerned about the recruitment and employment of Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) as well as in other regions in China. There have been reports of individual allegations of forced labour, as well as labour paid well below the minimum wage.

How Co-op is taking action

Co-op is an active participant in the ETI China corporate caucus and we share knowledge with our suppliers on legislative changes around social security and workplace rights.
In 2020, we sponsored a webinar on ethical recruitment practices, specifically addressing the risks of forced labour in China. The webinar was delivered in Mandarin and reached our in-country agents, suppliers and site management teams. Following the webinar, we shared a practical guide on ethical recruitment practices and are working with our key suppliers to implement this best practice.
In 2021 we ran two webinars on ethical recruitment and supply chain transparency for our suppliers in China, in partnership with Natura & Co and ETI. Over 130 delegates participated in sessions that provided advice on local legislation, risk management and remediation processes.

Future priorities

We will continue to be active participants in the collaborative initiatives outlined above, and we have committed to a number of human rights goals as part of our Future of Food ambition.

8) Vulnerable Workers, Worker Voice & Smallholders | Belize, Colombia, Costa Rica, Côte D'Ivoire, Dominican Republic & Peru | Cocoa, Bananas and Sugar

Identified industry issues

The countries where these ingredients and products are sourced have limited local infrastructure, such as labour inspectorates, education systems and functioning courts of law, which increases the vulnerability of workers and smallholders involved. There are known issues of child labour in cocoa supply chains and issues of low smallholder incomes in cocoa, sugar and bananas. Human rights issues can occur in smallholdings due to the informal and small-scale nature of the work, poor communication channels and the general lack of visibility in global supply chains.

How Co-op is taking action

Co-op is committed to Fairtrade across cocoa, sugar and bananas, supporting the launch of Fairtrade in the UK and, for over 30 years, helping develop the market to become the world’s largest retailer of Fairtrade goods.

Cocoa:

In 2000 we were the first UK supermarket to sell own brand Fairtrade chocolate and in 2017 we became the first UK retailer to source all the cocoa used as an ingredient on Fairtrade terms.
In West Africa, we have been investing in the funding of Fairtrade Africa’s Women’s School of Leadership (WSOL) since 2017. WSOL is a training, mentoring and coaching programme that supports women and men to maximise their own potential and voluntarily take on leadership roles within their producer organisations and communities. Since 2017, the project has positively impacted thousands of members of cocoa communities in Côte d’Ivoire. Find out more.
We were the first UK supermarket to convert 100% of our chocolate confectionary range to Fairtrade in 2017 and all the cocoa we source benefits Fairtrade cocoa farmers. Sales support smallholder cocoa farmers in Peru, The Dominican Republic, Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire.

Bananas:

In 2000, we put the UK's first Fairtrade bananas on our shelves and in 2012 we switched all our bananas to Fairtrade. We’ve also committed to supporting smallholders through our unique sourcing of 100% cooperative supply, with a minimum of 50% sourced from smallholder farmers.
In 2018, we committed that whenever Co-op uses bananas as an ingredient, Fairtrade producers will benefit.
Since 2019, Co-op has co-funded the Productivity Increase Programme (PIP), delivered by CLAC (Fairtrade Latin American and Caribbean Producer Network). Through organic production methods, the programme supports small-scale banana farmers in Colombia and Dominican Republic to address the challenges of climate change, loss of soil fertility, low productivity and the growing threat of pests and disease which are threatening livelihoods. So far, PIP has benefited over 460 banana producers. Find out more here or watch this video.
In 2020, Co-op and suppliers Fyffes and Finlays donated money as part of the Global Wellbeing Charter to a Fairtrade Covid-19 Relief Fund to support the development of local initiatives and projects to aid economic recovery and build resilience to the pandemic. These projects were implemented by the Latin American and Caribbean Network of Fairtrade Small Producers and Workers (CLAC), and Fairtrade Africa, with support from the Fairtrade Foundation.
In 2023, we signed the first UK Retail Commitment on Living Wage in Banana Supply Chains to close the living wage gap by 2027. Since then, we have been working with UK retailers to collect and measure wage data to allow us to close the wage gap; and working with stakeholders on projects to create sustainable solutions to ensuring living wages in banana supply chain.

Sugar:

We were the first retailer to sell Fairtrade sugar back in 2004 and converted our entire own brand range in 2008.
In 2008 we launched the first ever Fairtrade flower food, meaning the sachets attached to the Fairtrade flowers we sell support sugar farmers.
In 2016 we made a commitment that all the bagged sugar we sold would be Fairtrade certified to support smallholder farmers in Belize. Find out more here.
In 2021 we supported an initiative in Belize to help cane farmers and workers to formalise their work by introducing an agreement between cane cutters and harvest group leaders. The project promoted written contracts of employment and good labour practices through workshops and training to ensure better hiring practices. The project also provided free protective equipment for workers to reduce injuries. This project has not only positively impacted over 2,900 workers, but has also contributed to strengthening the Fairtrade standard and labour law in Belize. Through the continued roll out of contracts in North Belize, smallholder farms will continue to ensure better hiring practices and reducing risks to workers. You can find out more about case studies of Co-op Sourcing Projects with Fairtrade producer communities in 2021 here.

Future priorities

We will continue to be active participants in the collaborative initiatives outlined above, and have committed to a number of human rights goals as part of our Future of Food ambition. We’ll also improve the lives of workers and smallholders through our ongoing commitment to Fairtrade: - We’ll build on our Fairtrade leadership and continue to strengthen producer communities around the world. - Through our work with Fairtrade and other partners, we’ll continue to explore how to pass on a greater share of value in our food supply chain.

More of what we do

The Future of Food - Fairtrade Spotlight

Our 30 year commitment to Fairtrade is part of our mission to create all Co-op products focused on respect for people and the planet. Read more about our Future of Food ambition and our food sustainability plans to 2030.

Our modern slavery and human trafficking statement explains what we did during our most recent financial year to prevent modern slavery taking place in our business and supply chains.

Ethical trading: our commitment: Italian agriculture image

We were founded back in 1844 on ethical trade. Today, we still care every bit as much about the people involved in creating the products you love. We’re dedicated to driving improvements for working conditions and aim to be the UK's leading retailer in this vital area. To ensure this, we’ve created our ‘Sound Sourcing Code of Conduct’ which sets out the workplace and employment standards that we strenuously apply.