Fairtrade at 30

Over the years, Fairtrade has grown from a pioneering concept to a global movement, empowering farmers, producers and communities around the world. This Fairtrade Fortnight, we mark 30 years of fair and ethical trading, and as one of the first advocates of Fairtrade products, we’re also celebrating 30 years of co-ops supporting the movement!

In honour of this incredible journey, we’re highlighting 30 iconic Fairtrade products: 10 from the early days of Fairtrade, 10 popular products currently available at Central Co-op, and 10 products that could soon carry the Fairtrade mark in the future.

10 first Fairtrade products: paving the way for ethical trade
Fairtrade's beginnings in the UK in 1994 brought ethical sourcing to the forefront. Here are 10 of the first products that played a key role in this movement:

1. Café Direct Coffee – A trailblazer for Fairtrade coffee, Café Direct has been Fairtrade since the beginning in 1994.
2. Clipper Tea – One of the first to offer Fairtrade-certified teas, supporting tea farmers worldwide.
3. Divine Chocolate – This co-operative-owned chocolate brand empowers cocoa farmers in Ghana.
4. Tropical Wholefoods Dried Fruits – A fair deal for farmers growing dried fruits in Africa and Latin America.
5. Percol Coffee – Another early entrant into the Fairtrade coffee market, offering ethical blends.
6. Traidcraft Honey – Supporting smallholder honey producers globally with Fairtrade principles.
7. Geobar Cereal Bars – Developed by Traidcraft, these bars were one of the first Fairtrade snack items.
8. Liberation Nuts – Empowering smallholder nut farmers, this early product brought Fairtrade nuts to market. Liberation Nuts are also part of Our Malawi Partnership range, where a proportion of the sales fund the work of the Malawi Federation of Co-operatives as they build their development programmes locally.
9. Bananas – One of the first fresh fruits to carry the Fairtrade mark, helping Latin American producers. Co-op’s were the first retailers to stock Fairtrade bananas, then in 2012 we switched all our bananas to Fairtrade and launched our unique banana sourcing model, committing to 100% supply from banana co-operatives with at least 50% sourced from smallholder farmers.
10. Green & Black’s Maya Gold Chocolate – The very first product in the UK to carry the Fairtrade certification.

10 Fairtrade products making a difference today
In 2024, we continue to champion Fairtrade with a diverse range of products that directly support farmers and communities. Here are 10 customer favourites available at our stores:

1. Macadamia nut products – We’re thrilled to exclusively offer the UK’s first 100% Fairtrade macadamia nuts in delicious flavours like salt roasted and cinnamon caramelised.
2. Fairtrade wines – Stock up during Fairtrade Fortnight with 15% off when you buy 4 Fairtrade wines, including Co-op’s Fairtrade Malbec, Pinot Grigio, and Shiraz.
3. Co-op Irresistible Fairtrade Caribbean Golden Rum – New for this year, this exclusive rum is a perfect Fairtrade tipple for just £20 for Members.
4. Fairtrade Cocoa Products – Every spoonful of cocoa in Co-op’s Irresistible chocolates and cookies benefits Fairtrade cocoa farmers.
5. True Origin Rice – Ahead of Fairtrade Fortnight, we had the honour of welcoming Howard Msukwa, a rice farmer from Northern Malawi who works with True Origin. Partnering with smallholder farmers, this ethical rice is available for just £1 during Fairtrade Fortnight.
6. Fairtrade Flowers – Brighten your home with 100% Fairtrade roses, available in ready-made bouquets.
7. Revolver Mzuzu Coffee & Msuwadzi Tea – Our Malawi Partnership brings you these premium Fairtrade beverages from Malawi.
8. Fair Trade Charcoal – Did you know we’re the only retailer of Fair Trade charcoal and instant barbecues, supporting workers in Namibia?
9. Fairtrade Sugar – Since 2004, all Co-op bagged sugar has been Fairtrade-certified.
10. Fairtrade Cotton and Rubber Gloves – Our own-brand cotton and rubber gloves are Fairtrade-certified, offering ethical choices for everyday products, and only at £1.50 each!

10 Fairtrade products of the future: what’s next?
As consumer demand for ethical products grows, Fairtrade is expanding to new categories. Here are 10 products that could soon carry the Fairtrade mark:

1. Spices (turmeric, ginger, cardamom) – With the spice trade growing, we hope to see more Fairtrade-certified varieties.
2. Textiles (beyond raw cotton) – The fashion industry could soon offer fully Fairtrade-certified garments, beyond just raw cotton.
3. Electronics – Imagine buying smartphones with ethically sourced minerals like cobalt and gold.
4. Rubber products – From tires to footwear, Fairtrade certification could expand into sustainable rubber.
5. Beauty products (shea butter, essential oils) – More beauty products using Fairtrade ingredients are expected to hit the shelves.
6. Avocados – Fairtrade avocados could become a staple, ensuring fair treatment for producers.
7. Sustainable seafood – Small-scale fisheries could soon benefit from Fairtrade certification, bringing ethical seafood to your plate.
8. More varieties of Fairtrade wine – As demand grows, expect more Fairtrade-certified wines from new regions.
9. Coconut products – Coconut water, oil and sugar are popular, and more Fairtrade varieties could soon emerge.
10. Quinoa – Already Fairtrade-certified in some regions, quinoa could see broader certification for more varieties.

At Central Co-op, we believe in the power of Fairtrade to create lasting change. Every Fairtrade product you buy helps ensure a fair deal for farmers and workers, empowering them to invest in their communities and their future. As we celebrate 30 years of Fairtrade and 30 years of co-op support, let’s look forward to the next 30 years of positive impact, with more ethical choices and a world that truly values fairness.

Happy Fairtrade Fortnight from all of us at Central Co-op!