More than half of Edinburgh shoppers unaware of exploitation of food and drink producers in developing countries

 

• 56% of shoppers are not aware of exploitation of food and drink producers in developing countries
• 44% of respondents were put off by “too expensive” ethical products
• 23% of consumers “never” think about the people who produce their food

More than half of shoppers in Edinburgh (55.8%) are unaware of exploitation in the food chain new research has revealed. 

The survey, commissioned by the Fairtrade Foundation for Fairtrade Fortnight also found that almost a quarter (23.4%) of respondents admit to never thinking about who produces their food and drink. Only 9.1% of the survey admitted to ‘always’ thinking about who produces their food and drink.

Almost half of consumers (44.2%) are put off buying ethical products because they’re too expensive, while 13% of consumers don’t buy ethical products because they “don’t trust claims” made about ethically-sourced products.

The new research has shown that 91% of shoppers in Edinburgh think that price is an important factor when considering where to shop. This is followed by the quality of products (88.3%), the location (72.7%) and then the ethical credentials of the store (45.5%).

When it comes to the Fairtrade products that we are buying, the top most purchased is coffee with 44.2% of us buying it. Second is bananas at 37.7% and third is tea at 27.3%. With banana sales in the UK expected to reach 820,000 tonnes this year (that’s over 1,500 Boeing 747’s), can more be done to encourage Brits to buy Fairtrade?

The research was released to mark the start of the Fairtrade Fortnight “Come On In” campaign, inviting members of the public to “come on in” to Fairtrade and experience the world of the people who produce the things we love to eat, drink, and wear.

The campaign will also explore how businesses, farmers, workers and shoppers come together through Fairtrade to break the stranglehold of poverty prices.