Fairtrade Fortnight 2025: “Do It Fair”

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1. Why "Do It Fair" Matters

2. What's New In 2025

3. Impact: What Difference Does This Make?

4. How You Can Get Involved

5. Challenges & Considerations

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Every year the UK comes together for Fairtrade Fortnight – two weeks when shoppers, schools, community groups, businesses, and churches highlight the power of ethical trade. In 2025, the campaign runs from Monday 22 September to Sunday 5 October.

The theme this year is “Do It Fair”, a call to action: not just to buy fairly, but to speak up, support producers, and push for systemic change in how trade works.

Why “Do It Fair” Matters

Fairtrade isn’t just about consumer choice—it’s about fairness in the supply chains that connect us all. For many farmers and workers producing the food, drink, flowers, and other materials we use, unfair trading practices are the daily norm: low pay, unstable markets, unfair contracts, environmental pressures, exploitation. Fairtrade aims to change that through standards, minimum prices, premiums for community development, better working conditions, and transparency.

“Do It Fair” emphasises that everyone has a role: whether you’re a shopper choosing between brands, a school teaching children about global justice, a business sourcing ethically, or a policymaker shaping trade rules. It’s a reminder that our choices and voices combine to shape a fairer world.

Read more here about sourcing ethically: Ethical Sourcing | CIPS

What’s New in 2025

Here are some of the standout developments and features for Fairtrade Fortnight 2025:

• Dates shift: While historically Fairtrade Fortnight has often been in late February / early March, this year it’s taking place in late September into early October.

• Campaigning angle: The language is stronger on campaigning—not just “buy Fairtrade,” but also “speak up”, “Do It Fair”. It stresses both consumer action and advocacy.

• Tea at the frontlines: One of the focal products in the campaign is tea, especially considering how many tea farmers are facing climate vulnerability and price instability. The “Brew it Fair” call is part of the conversation.

• Greater variety of events and resources: Towns and councils are organising tasting sessions, pop-ups, events in cafes and churches; schools have been supplied with updated teaching and activity packs. More tools to raise awareness.

Impact: What Difference Does This Make?

Fairtrade Fortnight helps in many ways:

1. Empowering producers – Fairtrade standards help ensure farmers receive a fair price and an additional premium that communities can invest in what they need (schools, healthcare, infrastructure).

2. Environmental protection – Fairtrade encourages sustainable farming, helping producers cope with climate change, conserve biodiversity, reduce harmful inputs.

3. Raising awareness and shifting consumer behaviour – Even small shifts in what people buy or the awareness they have can pressure companies and governments to do better.

4. Advocacy and policy – When people mobilise, sign petitions, invite their MPs to events or meetings, trade policies can get influenced. The more visible the demand for fairness, the more likely change becomes.

   
   

How You Can Get Involved

Fairtrade Fortnight is most effective when lots of people do something—however small. Here are practical ideas:

• Buy Fairtrade products: coffee, tea, chocolate, flowers etc. Check for the Fairtrade mark.

• Host or attend events: Tea parties (“Brew it Fair”), tastings, talks or workshops. Local Fairtrade groups often organise these.

• Use resources: Schools, churches, community groups can use Fairtrade’s toolkits, lesson packs, discussion/promotional materials.

• Talk about it: Use social media, local media, word of mouth. Invite friends, family, colleagues to think about how trade choices affect people elsewhere.

• Advocate: Sign petitions, write to your MP, support policies that protect producers. One example: urging the UK government to ensure fairness in the tea supply chain.

  
  

Challenges & Considerations

Fairtrade and “doing it fair” also face obstacles:

• Price pressures: Rising costs (transport, inputs, climate effects) make it harder for producers to maintain quality and receive fair income.

• Consumer cost sensitivity: In a cost-of-living crisis, people may choosing cheaper products over Fairtrade options. Maintaining transparency and showing the real value is important.

• Scale and supply chain complexity: Many parts of supply chains are opaque; ensuring every stage (from growing, harvesting, processing) meets fair trade principles is not always easy.

• Climate change: Farmers in many Fairtrade certified countries are among the most vulnerable to droughts, flooding, pest outbreaks, etc. The premium funds help, but long-term resilience needs investment.

Click here to explore the website: Fairtrade Fortnight

Conclusion

Fairtrade Fortnight 2025 “Do It Fair” offers us all a chance to reflect on the power in our hands. Beyond a label, it’s a movement for fairness—not only to buy right, but to campaign, speak up, and push for structures that respect farmers and communities. As the world faces environmental and economic uncertainty, the importance of trade that is just and sustainable becomes ever greater.

So whether you’re in London, Newcastle, a school in a small town, or running a café—there’s something you can do this Fairtrade Fortnight. Do it fair. Today, and every day.