The two tables illustrate the quantities of Fairtrade-labelled coffee and bananas sold in 1999 and 2004 in five European countries.
Overall, coffee sales increased in all five countries, with the most significant growth in the UK. In contrast, banana sales rose in some countries but declined in Sweden and Denmark, while Switzerland remained the largest banana market.
Coffee amounts were relatively low in 1999, with Switzerland recording the highest figure at 3 million euros. By 2004, coffee sales in the UK had soared from 1.5 to 20 million euros. Switzerland’s figures doubled, while those in Denmark, Belgium and Sweden edged up slightly, these sales only rose by under 1 million.
Bananas are a more volatile commodity than coffee. Switzerland registered the highest figures in both years, rising sharply from 15 million euros in 1999 to 47 million in 2004. In addition, the UK and Belgium also experienced significant growth. The UK increased by 4.5 million euros compared to 1999, while Belgium rose by 3.4 million. However, sales in Sweden and Denmark declined. Sweden fell from 1.8 million to 1 million, and Denmark dropped by 1.1 million.
