According to the Max Havelaar foundation Switzerland has an international leading role. Trade, caterers and municipalities increasingly focus on sustainability and more fair trade products are part of their range and become the standard.
Every second banana is a fair trade banana
The bestselling fair trade products are bananas, with a share of 53% compared to standard bananas. The Max Havelaar pineapple has a market share of 43% and a quarter of the fruit juice sold has a Fair-Trade-Label. The sales of chocolate and cocoa has increased too, according to the Max Havelaar foundation this is due the Fairtrade Cocoa Program that started in 2014.
The main Fairtrade sellers in Switzerland are the two big retailers Migros and Coop. Coop offers the largest range of Fairtrade products. The retailer claims that every second Fairtrade product sold in Switzerland is sold at Coop.
Producers in developing countries are adequately compensated
By buying fair trade products Swiss consumers contribute to the adequate compensation of the producers in developing and emerging countries. “To achieve change, smallholders and laborers need fair access to the world market and have the option to participate and decide on projects for their development,” states Nadja Lang director of the Max Havelaar Foundation. Trade works when, not only the producers but also the industry, commerce, politics and consumers participate.
