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Fairtrade, Fairtrade certified sales reach 550 million

Certified holdings, the project development premium for farmers in disadvantaged areas and consultancy work are also growing

5 June 2025

3' min read

Encouraging signs for Fairtrade in 2024: both the sales of Fairtrade certified products in Italy and the number of companies choosing a fairer, more transparent and more human rights aware sourcing model throughout the supply chain have increased. This is stated in the Fairtrade Italia Social Budget 2024, presented at the annual event 'Cultivating the future: the impact of Fairtrade Italia'.

"If on the one hand the worsening of climate change, with increasingly evident effects on crops such as cocoa and coffee, makes the adoption of sustainable farming practices by Fairtrade producers even more urgent, on the other hand the growing figures tell of the concrete contribution of the Italian market to this change, confirming the solidity of a model that puts people at the centre and builds a fairer future," say the non-profit organisation.

But what does buying Fairtrade products actually mean? "It means supporting a system that favours fairer working conditions, less environmental impact and development projects for millions of farmers and workers in Asia, Africa and Latin America". In Italy, the label has been active since 1994 and to date certifies some 2,500 products.

The value of products sold in our country containingat least one Fairtrade certified ingredient exceeded 550 million euro. Thanks to the purchases of Italians approximately 4 million euro was generated in the form of the Fairtrade Premium (+4%) i.e. the extra sum paid for each product sold and used to finance collective development projects of farmers' and workers' organisations in Asia, Africa and Latin America.
The categories that made the biggest impact were cocoa with more than EUR 2 million, bananas with EUR 743,000 and coffee with EUR 332,000. Globally, the Premium exceeded EUR 211 million by 2023, supporting millions of people in more than 75 countries in health, education, infrastructure and environmental issues.

Bananas are confirmed as the best-selling Fairtrade certified product, with over 14 thousand tonnes (+1.5% compared to 2023) and consumption of cocoa is consolidating, once again exceeding 10 thousand tonnes, marking a 5% increase compared to the previous year. Cane sugar also grew, albeit at a slower rate (+0.5%), while Fairtrade coffee, despite the critical year globally in terms of prices, which saw an uncontrollable surge, is back above 800 tonnes, up more than 12.5%.

These results are accompanied by an increase in the number of active Italian operators: today more than 300 companies import, process and distribute Fairtrade certified products, an increase of +3% compared to 2023. On-shelf references are also increasing, especially in large-scale distribution, and the brand's presence in the non-food market is strengthening, with cotton (+40%) and cut flowers (+28%) growing strongly.

A Nielsen research carried out for Fairtrade Italia photographs a more aware Italy, with more than six out of ten Italians judging ethical products to be trustworthy. "Those who know Fairtrade, in almost all cases, appreciate its value: brand awareness - according to the research - has grown by 8 points since 2021 and more than eight out of ten people who recognise the brand say they trust it. Fairtrade emerges as a modern, intergenerational certification that combines reliability, impact and value for the whole family.

The survey links this trust to concrete behaviour: 'today's consumer is driven by the search for healthier foods, and prefers committed brands that support a good cause and have a lower environmental impact'.

"The data we are presenting today speak of an Italy increasingly involved in change. In a world that demands responsibility, Fairtrade represents a concrete answer for companies and people: a system that combines rigour, transparency and real impact,' says Paolo Pastore, General Manager of Fairtrade Italia. Strengthening supply chains today means protecting human rights, addressing environmental challenges and building together an economy that looks to the future. It is not just a question of fair prices, but of shared responsibility. This is why we work alongside Italian companies every day, not only with certification but also with concrete tools to face the new challenges of compliance and traceability, always remaining connected to the needs of producers'.

In addition to certification, Fairtrade now also offers advisory support to companies. "A natural evolution, which responds to the introduction of European regulations such as the Deforestation Regulation (Eudr) and the Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (Csddd)," say Fairtrade. - In this new context, Fairtrade proposes itself as an operational and strategic partner, able to support companies in interpreting legal requirements, building responsible supply chains and anticipating future challenges, turning sustainability into a competitive lever'.

Emiliano SgambatoResponsabile Food24
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