Following Fairtrade Fortnight, which took place between 23rd February and 8th March, Aldi has seen sales of it Fairtrade roses increase by 12%, year on year.

This follows a strong performance in the run up to Valentine‘s Day, with customers opting for socially responsible chocolate and flowers, with gifts to loved ones. Aldi is the fastest growing flower retailer in the UK.

Giles Hurley, Joint Managing Director of Corporate Buying for Aldi, said:

“As a business, we recognise the importance of making a positive impact around the world and our global footprint seeks to support and raise awareness of major global initiatives. 70 per cent of Aldi‘s high quality Fairtrade roses come from Ethiopia and the balance from three farms in Kenya. Aldi is the largest Fairtrade flower buyer in Ethiopia and is carefully monitoring market growth to see how we can offer more support.

At the heart of our business is the principle of developing long-term relationships with our suppliers. We are working to develop more mutually beneficial partnerships that enable more equitable distribution of resource along the supply chain whilst still offering our customers great value. We also work hard to try to ensure that those at the end of the supply chain are treated fairly and feel their human rights are respected.”

Louise Valducci, Head of Major Retail Accounts at Fairtrade Foundation, said:

“Growth in Fairtrade flower sales at Aldi is very welcome news for flower farmers and workers in Kenya and Ethiopia, as well as their families and their communities. For every bunch of Fairtrade roses and spray roses sold in Aldi, they earn an extra 10% – the Fairtrade Premium – which can be invested to benefit their community, for example to provide access to health care or send their children to school, which makes a real difference to their lives.

As well as Fairtrade flowers, Aldi shoppers can now choose from a range of Fairtrade products – including chocolate, tea and bananas – and we hope that Fairtrade Fortnight will inspire them to put one or two more of these in their shopping basket, so that together we can change even more lives.”

Aldi‘s Fairtrade roses launched in May 2014, with a bunch of six roses priced at £3.50.