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Fairtrade In ANZ
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Update 27 April 2009

Market highlights:

  • Retail sales of Fairtrade Labelled products in Australia & New Zealand have passed AU$70 million in total over the 5 years since the first products were sold (September 2003)
  • More than AU$32 million of retail sales of Fairtrade Certified products in the 2008 calendar year in Australia & New Zealand (over NZ$10.5 million in NZ) compared to AU$18 million in 2007
  • Fairtrade Certified coffee retail sales reached AU$25 million in 2008

Summary

2008 has been another rewarding year for Fairtrade globally and in Australia and New Zealand, though not without its challenges. Especially in the last few months, the global financial crisis has presented difficulties for many of our commercial partners. For our producer partners, the situation is even more dire, with the credit fuelled crisis coming on the back of record prices for agricultural inputs and food staples. Farmers and workers in poor countries – and the communities that depend on them – need our solidarity and support through fair trade now more than ever.

It is good news then that sales of Fairtrade Certified products in Australia and New Zealand continue to grow.

Consumers reached for Fairtrade Certified coffee, tea, chocolate, sports balls and cotton products last year in record numbers. Retail sales have grown by over 70% compared to 2007. Purchases in Australia passed AU$23 million, while New Zealand sales passed NZ$10 million for the first time.  Fairtrade Certified tea was the biggest growth category, jumping from just over AU$1 million in 2007, to AU$3.35 million in 2008, reflecting growth of over 200%. Sales of sports balls and cotton products also increased significantly compared to 2007.

Other significant facts on the Fairtrade market for 2008:

  • At the end of 2008, there were 167 businesses licensed to sell Fairtrade products – 125 in Australia and 42 in New Zealand
  • Fairtrade Certified peanuts joined coffee, tea and chocolate products on supermarket shelves in Australia
  • Wild Bean Cafes across Australia and New Zealand launched 100% Fairtrade Certified coffee in all its stores, while Jamaica Blue launched a Fairtrade Organic option at their stores on both sides of the Tasman
  • Virgin, Pacific and Polynesian Blue, as well as Jestar, commenced offering Fairtrade Certified coffee and tea in-flight
  • Nerada achieved Fairtrade Certification for most of its organic tea range
  • Corporate Express now offers over 60 Fairtrade Certified products in its catalogue

With new product categories, new commercial partners, more engagement from the fair trade movement, and Fairtrade pushing further in to the mainstream retail and procurement sectors, we estimate growth will again top 50% in 2009. The increased sales will mean more farmers and workers receiving stable fair prices for more of their goods, and Fairtrade premiums to invest in the economic, social and environmental development of their communities.

We want to thank all our campaign and commercial partners - and those buying fair trade products - for partnering with us and farmers and workers around the world to provide hope, support empowerment, and demonstrate that business and trade can and must create a better world for all. It’s a powerful message and a compelling opportunity for us all. We look forward to continuing to work with you.

Additional Details

As at April 2009, Fairtrade Labelling ANZ had over 160 businesses licensed to sell Fairtrade products. This compares to 89 at the beginning of 2007. Companies with Fairtrade Certified products from the UK and the US are also selling their products here, including Green & Blacks (chocolate, drinking chocolate, cocoa), Clipper Teas (coffee, tea), Hampstead Teas (tea, including herbal), La Siembra (drinking chocolate) and Alter Eco (coffee, tea, rice, sugar). A handful of businesses in both Australia and New Zealand are also purchasing clothing made from Fairtrade certified cotton via the UK.

The majority of licensed operators in ANZ continue to be engaged in trading Fairtrade coffee. There are 8 licensees for Fairtrade tea, 13 for chocolate, one for sportsballs, one for quinoa, 10 for cotton and 3 others.

A full list of licensees is available from our website: www.fairtrade.com.au/buyandsell.

The retail footprint of Fairtrade products expanded in 2008. Fairtrade products are available in cafes, from local organic, health and grocery shops, online, by mail order, from national supermarket and retail chains, and of course from fair trade shops. Major supermarkets in Australia and New Zealand continue to expand the range of Fairtrade products on shelves with Fairtrade tea and coffee available from most stores – including some private label options. Fairtrade chocolate availability from mainstream stores is also increasing. The diversity of outlets making Fairtrade labelled products available is bringing Fairtrade to different consumer groups and helping to increase awareness amongst consumers as a whole.

A searchable database of where to buy Fairtrade goods is available here www.fairtrade.com.au/locator (can be accessed through the shortcuts link as well).

You can also find a list of major retailers that stock Fairtrade labelled products here www.fairtrade.com.au/MajorRetailers. These lists are always being updated as new information comes to us. If you are selling Fairtrade products and you are not on this list, or you believe there should be retailers listed that are not, go here to learn how to be listed in our database www.fairtrade.com.au/listindatabase.

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