Co-op moves all South African wine to Fairtrade standards

The Co-op has claimed an industry first by stocking an entirely Fairtrade South African wine range.

The move means it will now stock 45 South African wines made to Fairtrade standards. It offers 57 wines in total under the certification.

The convenience retailer is also investing £800,000 through donations and social premium (extra money that goes into a communal fund for workers and farmers) into a start-up winery called Fairroots in Olifants River to further cement its commitment to the South African wine industry, it said.

The funding will allow Fairroots to develop an education centre for environment and financial training, as well as supporting its vineyard operations.

The Grocer