Fairtrade Fortnight 2018: Monday 26 February - Sunday 11 March

'For hundreds of years, we were taught to serve, to be workers. Now with Fairtrade, we are entrepreneurs' Marcial Quintero, member of Coobana, a Fairtrade banana co-operative in Panama.

Come On In to Coobana Fairtrade Banana Plantation | Fairtrade

It’s a scandalous reality that millions of farmers and workers are still being ripped off despite working hard to provide the products we love. Unfairness in global trade is rooted in centuries of exploitation. Yet across the globe, Marcial and hard-working producers like him are unravelling this legacy. They’re fighting for a fair deal, supported by Fairtrade, earning their way out of poverty and transforming their communities.

Together we’re stronger, and more people choosing, sharing and shouting about Fairtrade in the UK means more power to producers like Marcial to break the stranglehold of poverty prices. There’s never been a more important time to stand with producers through Fairtrade – to protect the progress you’ve achieved alongside them, and to welcome more people – supporters, producers, businesses - into Fairtrade. This Fairtrade Fortnight, stand with farmers like Marcial to close the door on exploitation, and welcome more people into Fairtrade.

'Before joining Fairtrade we didn't see any benefits, development or profit. The price we received per box wasn't enough to cover our costs - and for 17 years it didn't change. Since starting with Fairtrade, it's made a mega-revolution in our lives.' Marcial Quintero, Coobana