A leading US fair trade certification body has claimed that sales jumped last year as the category gains acceptance among mainstream consumers.

Sales of fair trade certified products at grocery stores increased by 24% in 2010, data reporting group Spins revealed. Sales at conventional grocery stores were up 26% while sales at speciality and natural grocers trailed, rising 22% and 16% respectively.

Commenting on Spins’ findings, Fair Trade USA suggested that sales were increasing as a consequence of wider availability – with more than 700 companies offering fair trade products.

“We are encouraged by the fact that in spite of the economic recession, consumers everywhere are embracing the idea that every purchase matters,” said Cate Baril, director of business development, grocery and ingredients, Fair Trade USA.

“We continue to see strong, double digit growth in the natural and speciality channels. And we see even stronger growth in supermarkets where sales are up 26%, as more stores are adding a greater variety of Fair Trade certified products and increasing selection for consumers.”

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