Fair Trade Fortnight Is On Again

29thApril 2009

Fair Trade Fortnight Is On Again

Fair Trade Fortnight, New Zealand’s biggest annual celebration of all things fair trade, is on again from 2 – 17 May 2009.

Fair Trade Fortnight highlights how every New Zealander can help tackle poverty and empower producers in developing countries, simply by supporting fair trade and choosing products that carry the Fairtrade Label.

During this year’s Fortnight, the Fair Trade Association of Australia and New Zealand (FTAANZ) is urging New Zealand shoppers to Go Bananas for Fairtrade and be part of the campaign to make one of the country’s favourite fruits fairer.

FTAANZ Executive Director Steve Knapp said Kiwis were the world’s largest consumers of bananas per capita but the majority of the bananas they consumed came from plantations whose workers did not even earn enough to live or support their families, with some earning less than NZ$3 a day.

“Banana farmers are struggling to cover the costs of production while trying to compete with large-scale plantations owned by a small number of multinational companies who dominate the global banana trade,” he said.

Mr Knapp said that through the Go Bananas campaign, every Kiwi could help change the lives of these farmers, their workers and families, just by asking their local supermarket to stock Fairtrade Bananas.

“Supermarkets in countries across the world have already shown their support for these farmers and workers by stocking Fairtrade Certified bananas – in fact many are now only selling 100% Fairtrade bananas due to customer demand,” he said.

“Kiwi shoppers are no different – they want to make sure they can buy one of their favourite fruits
from sustainable sources that consider working conditions, fair pay and the non-use of harmful pesticides as basic rights for farmers and workers.

“The Fairtrade system makes a world of difference for Banana farmers because it means they get guaranteed fair prices for their product as well as additional investment for community development,” he said.

Mr Knapp said the Fairtrade bananas would add to the strong and growing demand New Zealand shoppers had shown for Fairtrade goods since the first Fairtrade product went on sale in the country in 2004.

“Last year alone, Kiwis bought over NZ$10.5 million worth of the Fairtrade Certified and Labelled products including coffee, tea and chocolate - up more than 50% from 2007,” he said.

“Every dollar New Zealand shoppers spend on Fairtrade products is a vote for a better future for developing country producers and their families,” he said.

“It means they can send their kids to school, build roads, and access better health care – all things we take for granted in New Zealand every day.

‘It also means they can grow and develop their business, ensuring they can improve life for their family well into the future,” he said.
Mr Knapp said Fair Trade Fortnight was also an opportunity for New Zealanders to further discover the range and quality of fair trade and Fairtrade Labelled products available through the many Fair Trade fiestas, markets, product tastings and other events happening across the country.
Fair Trade Fortnight also coincides with World Fair Trade Day (WFTD) on Saturday, 9 May 2009 – a global celebration of the change fair trade is making in tackling poverty for developing country producers and their families. For more on WFTD 2009 visit www.worldfairtradeday09.org

For more information on Fair Trade Fortnight 2009 events and activities, a Fairtrade Media Breifing Kit as well as where to buy Fairtrade and the real difference it makes for producers in the developing world, simply visit www.fairtrade.org.nz/ftf09.

To take part in the Go Bananas for Fairtrade campaign go to www.checkoutfairtrade.org.nz.

Make it Happen. Choose Fairtrade.

ENDS

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