Fairtrade Wine Facts

Information supplied by the Fairtrade Foundation

The Fairtrade movement has had a significant impact on both producers and consumers over the last years.  

What Fairtade means:

• An agreed and stable price to farmers for their products
• An additional Fairtrade Premium for farmers and workers to improve their lives
• Greater respect for the environment
• Closer link between consumers and producers
• Stronger position for small farmers in world markets

Fairtrade in UK:

• We spent well over £290 million on products carrying the FAIRTRADE Mark in the UK in 2006 – this figure doubles every two years
• One out of every two UK adults (57%) (TNS Omnimas data) now recognises the FAIRTRADE Mark
• Shoppers who buy Fairtrade products are equally split between men and women.  With children and without.
• There are now almost 300 Fairtrade Towns throughout the UK

Fairtrade Wine information:

• There are currently three countries producing Fairtrade Wine – South Africa, Chile and Argentina.  First certified in 2004
• There are currently 27 Fairtrade certified wine producers in the three countries
• These now contribute over 100 products to choose from
• UK is by far the biggest market for Fairtrade wine, with approximate 2,000,000 litres sold in 2006. 
• The Fairtrade wine retail market is estimated at £7 million (source ACNielson).
• Wholesale wine volumes increased 116.7% in 2006 compared to the 2005 volumes (source: Fairtrade Foundation)

• Fairtrade wines are now widely available:
  Coop – approx 20 lines
  Sainsburys – approx 9 lines
  Waitrose – approx 4 lines
  Tesco – approx 7 lines

Fairtrade Wine Committee

The UK Fairtrade Wine Committee was formed in 2006 with the aim of raising awareness in the UK wine trade and most importantly with the consumer. Made up of licensees representing the wines in the UK, this committee is the only one of its kind within the Fairtrade sector, as its members actively collaborate to raise the profile of its products; and the benefits to the workers and local communities that produce them.  Key activities include the annual Fairtrade Tasting, which this year took place on 1st November and the introduction of the Fairtrade Wine Awards.