Fairtrade is good.

In fact it’s better than good;

it is changing the lives of people all over the world who are struggling to provide for their families in the face of low commodity prices and unfair international trade rules.

World prices for commodities such as coffee, sugar and cocoa are highly volatile and often remain well below the levels which small farmers in developing countries need in order to earn a basic living. Fairtrade producers receive a guaranteed fair and stable price to which enables them to improve their lives and the environment in which they and their families live and work.

Here are four useful facts about Fairtrade in the UK and globally:

• Purchases of Fairtrade products by UK consumers came to £799 million in 2009, an increase of 12% over 2009 and over 500% in the past 5 years

• Over 70% of the UK public recognize the FAIRTRADE Mark with 64% of the population linking the Mark to a better deal for producers in the developing world

• Globally, consumers worldwide spent £1.6bn on Fairtrade certified products in 2007

• Fairtrade certified products directly benefit over 7 million people - farmers, workers and their families in 58 developing countries

For further information on Fairtrade, please visit www.fairtrade.org.uk