Fairtrade

Support communities around the world when you shop. In 2019, Fairtrade celebrated its 25th anniversary in the UK and we’ve been there every step of the way. We’re committed to Fairtrade, and to changing lives through the products we sell. There’s still a lot to do to fight unfairness in the food chain, but together we can make a difference.

Products for a fairer world

Every African rose you buy from Co-op is Fairtrade. Read about the incredible work we are doing in Naivasha through this commitment.

Read about how our work with cocoa producers has helped to address the fact that only 20% of women are registered farmers in Fairtrade producer organisations.

Celebrate 25 years of Fairtrade with a glass of our Co-op Fairtrade Carmenere and find out how it’s helping to break the mould of the role of women in the Chilean wine industry.

Find out how we were the first retailer to bring Fairtrade bananas to the UK and how it’s helped to improve communities in Panama and Dominican Republic.

Take a closer look at how Co-op has been producing Fairtrade tea for over 10 years and how your brew helps to improve community facilities in Kenya and Malawi.

Find out how we're changing lives through women's empowerment projects and helping to support producers in Colombia and Guatemala.

Discover how, on this sweet anniversary, Co-op was the first retailer to sell Fairtrade sugar and now it’s the only type of sugar we sell.

See why our unique partnership with Traidcraft means we support burners and workers in Namibia with our Fair Trade charcoal and BBQ set sales.

Fairtrade Businesses

Take a look at the selection of other various businesses that offer Fairtrade certified and Fair Trade products.

Our history of Fairtrade

In 1998 we became the first supermarket in the UK to sell Fairtrade products in all our stores

2000 saw the UK’s first Fairtrade bananas appear on our shelves

In 2001 we were the first to launch an own-brand fairly traded wine, which became Fairtrade in 2004

2003 was the year we made all our own brand coffee Fairtrade – another first

In 2015 we sold our 50 millionth bottle of Fairtrade wine making us the biggest seller in the world

Working with Tate & Lyle we became the first supermarket in 2016 to sell 100% Fairtrade sugar, raising funds for farmers in Belize

By 2017 all the cocoa in all our products was sourced on Fairtrade terms

By 2018 all the bananas, tea and coffee we used as ingredients benefited Fairtrade producers

Celebrating 25 years of Fairtrade

From Kenya to Ghana to Belize, our Fairtrade policy is making a positive difference to communities around the world. Listen to some of the stories told by the people whose lives have changed thanks to our commitment to giving something back to the workers who provide you with top quality coffee, bananas and so much more.

Our 25 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.