In 2014 over 170 000 kg of Fairtrade coffee – enough to make 24 million cups –was sold in South Africa, about 45% of which was sipped at hotels, restaurants and coffee shops.

Enjoy the taste of good!

While Fairtrade coffee is chosen for its social and environmental advantages (100% of Fairtrade coffee is grown sustainably; 88% is also organic), customers like the Protea Hotel Group laud its quality too.
“Fairtrade not only delivers high-quality African beans that offer a phenomenal in-cup taste experience, but also supports the ideals that everyone deserves a fair wage and the ability to support their families and communities,” says Danny Bryer, director of sales, marketing and revenue management at Protea Hotels, which have been serving Fairtrade coffee to their customers since 2013.

Fairtrade certified coffee beans

Research conducted by the Nielsen Company in all major South African cities in 2013 and 2015 shows that urban consumers who are aware of Fairtrade associate it first and foremost with quality. The core ethos of better working and living conditions on farms and sustainable agricultural practices features second. It’s not a surprise, then, that a growing number of local businesses is switching to Fairtrade.

Business Innovation

“When discussing innovation in our coffee procurement practices, it was Fairtrade that eventually won the consensus,” says Lee-Ann Cullingworth, marketing manager at Mugg & Bean. “Our Fairtrade coffee is carefully selected among the best, organic African beans, and we expect it will deliver incredible value to both our customers and the producers in Uganda.”
Mugg & Bean is launching single-origin, organic and Fairtrade ‘bottomless’ coffee across its national stores during Fairtrade Coffee & Choc Week from 3-9 August 2015.

A cup of coffee and chocolate.

Empowering communities

“Selecting a Fairtrade coffee supplier for our camps and lodges was a natural fit. We are proud to support Bean There, a coffee producer with similar values to ours, who helps to stimulate local employment opportunities while caring for the environment,” says Joss Kent, CEO of &Beyond.

Ways for your business to engage with Fairtrade South Africa

Fairtrade-certified coffee suppliers look after the needs of businesses small and large, offering tailor-made packages for caterers and high-volume buyers. Whether you’re a retailer, hotelier, restaurateur, or even if you run a small business that serves coffee in the office canteen, Fairtrade can add value by helping you:

• Achieve your sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR) goals.
• Gain better access to local and international markets.
• Build a more sustainable brand image.
• Gain a valuable partner for research and development.
• Invest in a more sustainable future for South Africa and the region.

Coffee beans on a tree

Get your first 1kg free

Any new wholesale customers (orders of more than 5kg) who order during the Fairtrade Coffee & Choc Week from 3-9 August 2015 will get their first kilogram free!
For more information visit www.fairtrade.org.za or contact the Fairtrade South Africa office on 021 44 88 911.