Worldwide Fairtrade sales hit $5.4 billion

Ausfoodnews reports that despite an economically difficult year, sales of fairtrade products have been roaring, with consumers around the world spending around AU$5.4 billion on Fairtrade products in 2009 – a 15% increase over 2008. "Australian and New Zealand consumers were a particularly strong market, increasing their Fairtrade shopping by 58%, compared to 14% in the UK and 7% in the US. Fairtrade cocoa grew by 35% and and sugar by 57%, thanks in part to Fairtrade committments by global chocolate and confectionary brands, including New Zealand’s Scarborough Fair (who extended their 100% Fairtrade Certified range), Green & Black’s, and Cadbury’s purchase of Fairtrade ingredients equivalent to those required for their Dairy Milk line. Nestlé also switched Kit Kat to Fairtrade ingredients, and ice-cream maker Ben & Jerry’s has now switched four of its flavours." Follow the link for more details.