Morrisons Becomes Biggest Retailer of Fairtrade Sugar in Europe

Thanks to this major step by Morrisons and Tate & Lyle, more smallholders will be able to invest in their farms, their businesses and their communities.

Mar 6 2012 --- Supermarket Morrisons has announced that it has switched the majority of its sugar to Tate & Lyle Fairtrade granulated and baking sugars.  The move that coincides with Fairtrade Fortnight makes Morrisons the EU’s largest seller of Fairtrade sugar.

Martyn Jones, Morrisons Group Corporate Services Director said:  “Customers want value and are increasingly looking for evidence and reassurance of ethical sourcing.  Morrisons is offering both.  It made total sense to us to switch a high volume range such as Sugar to Tate & Lyle with its Fairtrade credentials.”

Tate and Lyle became the first major brand to convert to Fairtrade in 2008, and Morrison’s move will generate an additional £1.2m in Fairtrade premiums annually for producers in Belize, Fiji and Guyana.  By the end of March 2012, Fairtrade will account for 42% of the UK sugar market.

Harriet Lamb, Fairtrade Foundation's executive director, said:  “This is sweet news for the sugar smallholders and for Morrisons customers. Thanks to this major step by Morrisons and Tate & Lyle, more smallholders will be able to invest in their farms, their businesses and their communities. It great news that sugar is now the top Fairtrade product. Everyone is talking about Responsible Capitalism and here we see it in action for those who grow our food.”