As Fairtrade Fortnight comes to a close, we at the Co-operative Party have been reflecting on this year’s theme – Do It Fair. It’s a message that could just as easily have been written to describe the values and principles of the Co-operative movement as it has been to highlight the power of Fairtrade.

The Co-operative and Fairtrade movements are bound by a common goal: to create a fairer, more democratic world where wealth and power are shared. Both were born from grassroots struggles to rebalance power, Fairtrade by ensuring producers receive a fair price and a voice in trade, and the Co-operative Party by championing democratic ownership and economic justice.

That shared purpose is why the Co-operative Group was the first UK retailer to introduce Fairtrade bananas, and why it remains the only supermarket to sell its own-brand 100% Fairtrade tea. Today, retail Co-operatives work with around 40 producer organisations across 14 countries, supporting more than a quarter of a million farmers and workers through the Fairtrade Premium. These partnerships don’t just change supply chains, they change lives.

It’s also why the Co-operative Party has been a proud advocate for Fairtrade. From lobbying for ethical procurement in public services to supporting Fairtrade Towns and Schools, we’ve worked to embed Fairtrade principles into local and national policy. For us, Fairtrade is a practical expression of our belief in a society where wealth and power are shared, linking consumers in the UK to cocoa farmers in Ghana, and to banana growers in Colombia.

Fairtrade is more than a label on a product. It’s a movement that builds community power, funding schools, healthcare, and climate resilience in the very places where Fairtrade goods are produced. It’s proof that trade, when done fairly, can be a force for justice.

As we close Fairtrade Fortnight 2025, we recommit to that vision: 
To do it fair.
To keep it Co-op.
And to keep building a world where trade uplifts, not exploits.

To learn more about Fairtrade, and how the Fairtrade Premium is transforming communities, visit www.fairtrade.net.