Fair trade sales boom

The products guarantee growers and producers in the developing world fair wages and working conditions, and have seen a leap in sales in the UK of 40% in the past year.

And it is hoped that a new global logo - being launched on Thursday - will set an internationally recognisable guarantee that the product is delivering the benefits it promises.

Companies such as Oxfam and Traidcraft pioneered the sale of, initially, teas, coffees and cocoa by paying the producers fair rates for their work and allowing them credit when needed.

Exploitation

Now the business has boomed, with many High Street supermarkets agreeing to stock the goods, and with the range of products extending to clothes, toys and homeware.

Every second, £1.50 is spent in the UK on fair trade products but the organisations behind the market fear that as demand grows, so will the temptation for large companies to cash in.

Fair trade goods are currently subject to strict checks to ensure they really are benefiting the developing world but the benchmarks vary from country to country.

It is hoped that the launch of a new globally-recognised logo will ensure standards and trading practices are uniform throughout the world which will prevent exploitation of producers.

Traidcraft is the UK's largest fair trade organisation and was set up in 1979.