Fairtrade: the Irish experience

Tralee is one of 32 Fairtrade towns around Ireland where efforts are underway to earn the Fairtrade logo.

Tralee is one of 32 Fairtrade towns around Ireland where efforts are underway to earn the Fairtrade logo.

This international logo shows there are efforts to ensure a better deal for producers of a whole range of goods.

Clonakilty in west Cork became the first Irish Fairtrade town in 2003. Others now include Kilkenny and Maynooth.

A whole range of goods displaying the Fairtrade logo, ranging from chocolate to tea, are now available in the supermarkets in Ireland.

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Shops participating include Superquinn, Spar, Centra, Tesco, Super Valu and Dunnes, as well as health food stores, Oxfam, Trócaire and other charity shops.

Coffee is the product which has been chosen for highlighting by the Irish Fairtrade organisation.

Most countries highlight one product. Switzerland, for example, highlights bananas, a product whose price has not risen in 20 years in Irish supermarkets.