Fairtrade Coffee Recovers, Beats The Recession

According to coffee vending company Roast and Ground growth in demand for Fairtrade coffee and other products is accelerating, following a slowing in growth during the recession.

“With the effect of the recession, when controlling costs and the bottom line became the priority, we found many companies re-considering the use of Fairtrade coffee. The growth in demand did slow down”, says Roast and Ground Managing Director Richard Gray. “Now, however, this mentality is starting to reverse as we see the economy improving. Companies ultimately do want to buy Fairtrade. Switching to Fairtrade fits well with companies’ green objectives and Corporate Social Responsibility Policies.”

According to Gray, 74% of Roast and Ground’s coffee bean sales are Fairtrade. Of the edible consumable products in their range, such as chocolate and biscuits, 20% are Fairtrade, but these account for 54% of sales.

“Fairtrade is not just ethically sound, it makes good business sense, too”, Gray says. “By ensuring that producers receive a living wage for their products, and protecting the relationship between supplier, distributor and consumer, it keeps production sustainable in the long term and helps to maintain product quality.”

According to the Fairtrade Foundation, Fairtrade sales grew by 15% globally in 2009. The strongest overall growth was seen in Eastern Europe and the southern hemisphere. Sales in the UK, already one of the largest Fairtrade markets, grew by a surprising 12%.

By: Bruce Townsend

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For more about Fairtrade, its growth and its advantages for your business, see officedrinksdirect.co.uk/shop/fairtrade.html and www.roastandground.co.uk.
Bruce Townsend is a writer, communicator and internet professional