Ethical purchasing of products continues to increase

Amador Palacios
2 min readApr 30, 2024

It is positive to know that despite the economic crisis that we all endure in some way, and the increase in product prices, every day there are more people who, when purchasing, are interested in products that are sold under the “label.” fair trade

In Spain there are more than 1,900 certified references and their sales have grown by 294% since 2016. And something similar happens in other countries such as the UK, and others. And the fact that consumers prioritize the purchase of ethical products is good news that we must share.

Throughout the world there are more than 37,000 products sold certified with the Fairtrade seal, in more than 130 countries. And there are almost 2 million farmers and producers around the world who work with Fairtrade and benefit from its ethical conditions.

Some will say that there are very few, and it is true, but what started as a drop in the ocean is getting bigger and involves more people every day.

Fairtrade is a certification system that seeks to guarantee fair and sustainable trading conditions for producers in developing countries. It is based on a set of principles that include:

  • Payment of a minimum price that covers production costs and a decent margin of life
  • No to child or forced labor
  • Gender equality and non-discrimination
  • Sustainable environmental practices
  • Investment in the community
  • Etc …

The range of Fairtrade products is wide and diverse, including:

  • Food: coffee, cocoa, sugar, tea, bananas, rice, honey, …
  • Drinks: juices, wines, beers, …
  • Textiles: clothing, footwear, accessories, …
  • Crafts: jewelry, decorative items, toys,…
  • Cosmetics: creams, soaps, essential oils,…

By purchasing Fairtrade products, you are contributing, among other things, to:

  • Improve the living conditions of producers and their families
  • Promote social and economic justice
  • Protect the environment
  • Promote responsible and sustainable consumption

In short, we are doing our bit to have a slightly fairer world. And the positive thing is that every day there are more people who think a little when buying, and do not limit themselves to looking only for the cheapest.

Because on many occasions, when things are looked at from a global perspective, the cheapest thing is usually more expensive than it seems.

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Amador Palacios

I am an electronic engineer with more than 40 years working in industry. I like to reflect on Technological and Social issues