Eleanor Harrison, CEO of the Fairtrade Foundation, said:

“A fair budget doesn’t stop here in the UK. Budget measures to ease the cost of living are welcome, but rising UK food prices are being driven by global forces - most notably climate change, as seen with rising global coffee and cocoa prices.

“Climate change and market instability are here to stay. One cocoa co-operative in Côte d’Ivoire saw yields fall by more than 50% this year due to erratic rainfall. Yet cocoa farmers earn just 6% of a bar’s value. By 2050, coffee-growing areas could shrink by half, and much of West Africa may no longer support current cocoa varieties.

“Farmer co-operatives overseas are powerful agents of change and at the heart of our global food system. They are proven to bring a host of benefits for their members, including lifting communities out of poverty and driving progress towards living incomes. They also play a critical role in delivering climate mitigation and adaptation strategies, strengthening supply chains for UK consumers.

“We welcome support for UK co-operatives and urge the Government - through its trading relationships and responsible business policies - to scale-up support for farmer co-operatives overseas. We look forward to assisting the Government in this endeavour.”

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• About Fairtrade - Fairtrade changes the way trade works through better prices, decent working conditions, and a fairer deal for farmers and workers in low-income countries. Visit: Fairtrade Foundation website: fairtrade.org.uk
• For media enquiries contact Laura Ouseley, Senior Media and Comms Manager, Laura.ouseley@fairtrade.org.uk, +44 (0)7909 875 956.