Fairtrade sales up by no less than 13%

2024 turned out to be a strong year for Fairtrade Nederland. Sales of Fairtrade-certified products increased by 13%, generating a global premium of €9.5 million for farmers and plantations. More volume means more room to invest — in sustainable farming, human rights, environmental protection, and decent incomes.

Cocoa keeps growing, despite record prices

The price of cocoa surged in 2024, reaching an all-time high. Failed harvests played a major role in this. Even so, Fairtrade cocoa volumes rose by 10%, reaching over 28 million kilos. That growth was supported by retailers like Lidl, PLUS, ALDI, Action, and Verkade — with HEMA also joining in.

Coffee prices also climbed steeply. A mix of speculation, crop failures and geopolitical tensions put pressure on the supply chain. Still, volumes grew by 4%, adding up to more than €2.7 million in premiums. Fairtrade notes that companies and organisations are increasingly opting for fairly traded coffee.

Bananas and cotton drive the growth

The banana category hit new highs this year. Nearly 40 million kilos of Fairtrade bananas were sold in the Netherlands — largely organic. Lidl and PLUS also took steps towards paying a living wage to their suppliers.

Cotton followed a similar pattern. Despite the impact of climate change and low wages, Fairtrade cotton product sales rose by 13%. PLUS and newcomer Cloudpillo expanded their ranges with Fairtrade bedding and underwear.

Other products, such as cashew, coconut milk and rice, also outperformed the previous year. All in all: more impact. More money where it matters. And greater awareness throughout the chain.

Fairtradenederland.nl