Sales of ethical products continue to rise despite the cost of living crisis

British consumers have faced the sharpest rise in living costs for four decades but despite this concerns over the environment and treatment of farmers in poorer countries have fuelled a steady increase in ethical shopping.

- Sarah Butler

As households across the country rein in their spending to deal with rising bills, Michael Gadney, the chief executive of the Fairtrade Foundation trade body, said consumers were still prioritising ethical products.

The group behind the Fairtrade mark - which is celebrating its 30th anniversary-expects to have earned more than £13m in income from the UK last year, slightly more than the £12.8m it earned in 2022. Businesses can apply for a licence to use the logo on approved products for a fee, and as sales increase the fees to the foundation rise. Gadney said: "2023 was a very challenging time for the UK economy, with supply chain shortages following the pandemic, very high inflation and a cost of living crisis affecting us all.

"In this climate we are delighted that Fairtrade sales more than held their own, and while we are still finalising figures, we expect to see modest growth year on year. This is testament that, as happened in the financial crisis of 2008-09, British shoppers do not trade down on their values when times are tough".