Fairtrade certified sugar and cocoa saw the biggest sales growth last year, as a number of high-profile brands made ethical commitments. Cadbury Dairy Milk, Nestlé's Kit Kat, Green & Blacks and ice cream business Ben & Jerry's were all said to have contributed to the increase. Fairtrade cocoa sales were up by 35% over the year, with Fairtrade sugar posting a 57% rise.

 Despite many consumers becoming more price-sensitive during the recession, ethical products were still high on the shopping list. 

"As 2009 began in the midst of the worst recession for 70 years, we were worried that Fairtrade producers could lose sales," said Rob Cameron, Chief Executive Officer of FLO. "Instead, consumers across the globe bucked the trend and proved their deep commitments to giving producers a fair deal. Fairtrade sales grew in all countries."

The large Fairtrade markets of the UK and US experienced strong growth of 14% and 7% respectively, with Eastern Europe and South Africa seeing sales grow 'exponentially', according to FLO. 

It is thought that around 1.2 million farmers and workers now sell their produce through the Fairtrade scheme.

See July's edition of Kennedy's Confection for an in-depth look at Fairtrade and the ethics and morals of production.