Worldwide Fairtrade sales rose by third in 2005

New figures released today reveal that global sales of Fairtrade certified products have reached € 1.1 bn mark in 2005. This represents an increase of 37% over 2004. All product lines expanded their markets, especially Fairtrade coffee in the U.S. (+ 70,9%) and the U.K. (+ 34%), bananas in Austria (46%) and sugar in France (125%). Non-food products did well too: sales of Fairtrade flowers, newly introduced last year in Canada, Germany and Belgium surpassed even the most optimistic expectations. Thanks to continued strong sales in Switzerland and the U.K., a total of 113 million stems of Fairtrade flowers were sold in 2005. Global Fairtrade trade figures are unveiled to coincide with the publication of FLO’s Annual Report for 2005.