SPAIN: Fair trade takes off in Spain

Solidarity is becoming profitable. According to Intermón-Oxfam, eleven commercial chains in Spain sell fair trade products in more than 1.000 supermarkets and the sales of these articles have doubled in the last five years now amounting to 13,8 million ? (2005). Intermón-Oxfam is one of the members of the Spanish Co-ordination of Fair Trade (CECJ), which created in 1996 gathers 35 associations and specialised shops. One of the managers of Intermón-Oxfam and vice-president of CEJC has stated that 25% of Spaniards know about fair trade and that their aim is that it is known by 80%. He considers that the sale of these articles in superstores must be increased in order to create a steady distribution network and also that differences in prices are not so big now: for instance, the conventional pack of coffee is worth around 1,45 ? and a fair trade one about 1,65 ?. Price differences were bigger in the past, when fair trade was much less extended and the sales much smaller. It is also worth mentioning that fair trade products are like delicatessen but cheaper than most of the articles thus labelled. In addition of creating a steady distribution network for fair trade products, another of the reasons alleged for them being increasingly present in superstores is that they must be brought closer to customers and adapted to their purchasing habits. But not all the involved parties agree: some small distributors state that superstores may sell some fair trade products but as a charitable act and as something unconnected the social movement that is trying to change international markets. Superstores, it is added, will omit their responsibilities and those of their providers in the misery of millions of farmers. Other fair trade organisations adopt an intermediate position. They argue that for producers increasing sales is important, although they admit that superstores are not the ideal place to distribute these products and that awareness-raising campaigns would be necessary. Some public institutions are also setting an example. This is the case of the Upper Chamber of the Spanish Parliament, in whose café fair trade coffee is served since two years ago. www.intermonoxfam.org