Fair Trade Fortnight in Australia and New Zealand

Fair trade Fortnight is underway from 1 – 16 May in Australia and New Zealand, with consumers being challenged to swap their everyday purchases for fair trade alternatives. The fair trade sector has grown in this region: in 2009 retail sales in Australia exceeding $36 million, up from $23 million in 2008. Manufacturers are responding to growing consumer interest in Fair trade, and a number of leading Australian companies have launched new products or committed to fair trade swaps themselves.
During the launch of the fortnight, two of Australia’s national law firms were awarded Fair Trade Workplace status for committing to exclusively use Fair trade certified hot beverages in their offices. A leading supermarket, Coles recently announced that they are extending their product range to include a further eight fair trade tea and coffee products. The Wild Bean Café committed to launch Fair trade hot chocolate in their outlets across the nation by the end of 2010.
These measures illustrate growing corporate commitment to the fair trade sector in the region.