Last year, more than 22 thousand tonnes of sugar products left the Candico factory in Merksem, near Antwerp. Some 50% of them were Fairtrade-labelled. The factory, which employs 78 people, packs cane sugar imported via the port of Antwerp; it also produces candy sugar.
The ACP textile printing workshop, which offers Fair Trade promotional and workwear, is clearly feeling an increase in both supply and interest in sustainable clothing. However, although “many customers are asking about the most sustainable choice, when it comes to making the final decision, even the most committed organisations opt for the cheapest product, which can be extremely frustrating for us,” says Director Dirk Piret.
For more than forty years the Oxfam-Wereldwinkels fair trade shops have brought together volunteers to advocate structural changes in North–South trade relations. “We are pioneers: first, we always try to put the mark as high as possible, and second, we try to convince the public of our story,” says Oxfam-Wereldswinkels director Joris Rossie.
From Oxfam-Magasins du monde we know the shops where you can buy a plethora of high quality fair trade products. Regular customers regularly visit these shops to buy their wine, fruit juices, cereals, coffee or fair trade handicrafts and body care products. The less regulars usually visit during the holiday season, because the shops are full of original gift ideas. But behind the stalls there is a great citizen movement, a pioneer of fair trade that manages to mobilise thousands of volunteers to change mentalities.
A citizens’ café is generally a convivial place where social issues are discussed. In Louvain-la-Neuve, the concept has been refined. It is not only a question of making citizens aware of a social problem, but also of proving that a company that respects all ethical principles, even in a difficult sector such as the hotel and catering industry, can be profitable.
GingerLove is a hot frothy drink. This mix of citrus fruits, ginger and herbs has made its way from Lombardia, the restaurant where it was created, to many a kitchen. Meanwhile, its creator, Alain Indria, has designed two new flavours: Coconut Vibrations and GreenLove.
Klingele has been in the chocolate business for more than 20 years and is specialised in sugar-free organic and fair trade chocolate. In addition to its own brands – Balance and Green Dream – the company produces chocolate for other brands. Chances are your supermarket also has products made by Klingele on its shelves.
Just a few metres from Leuven station, you can book your dream trip at the Reispunt travel agency and savour a fair trade ‘petit noir’ right afterwards at the adjacent Fair Trade coffee shop. While the travel agency offers literally something for everyone, it is Tierra’s nature trips in particular that stand out in the brochure printed in vegetable-based ink.
When shopping for a fair product, you will usually look for the Fairtrade label. The trade and development organisation behind this blue and green label, ‘Max Havelaar Belgium’, has been around for 25 years. The organisation recently renamed itself into ‘Fairtrade Belgium’. The ‘Trade, not aid’ baseline has not changed though. Still, the organisation has recently broken new ground by launching South–South trade and the Fairtrade Sourcing Program.
Jules Clarysse started producing bath textiles on a very small scale more than 70 years ago. With an annual production of 20 million bath towels, 20% of which will be fair trade by 2014, Clarysse NV is today the market leader in Europe. Even during the crisis, Clarysse has continued to invest in sustainability.
