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Robert Roberts
Having seen first hand the hard work that view, it is at least as good as the best non-
goes into harvesting tea in a developing Fairtrade products.”
country, Gerry Murphy, marketing director The fact that the quality of Fairtrade
of Robert Roberts, has no doubts products has improved steadily over the
about the importance of the Fairtrade years means they are now providing much
movement. stiffer competition for their non-Fairtrade
“I happened to be in Sri Lanka on holidays counterparts.
last year and I visited a tea plantation there. “There was a time when consumers
I saw people who looked older than my might have bought a Fairtrade product
grandmother picking tea. As it turned out, thinking they’d just put up with it for the
they were only in their early 40s. Anything greater good,” says Murphy. “Those days are
that gives them an extra 10pc on their dis- gone. When you think about it, Fairtrade
posable income can only be good. Western started in the tea, coffee and chocolate sec-
consumers can well afford to pay a bit extra tor; by now, those products are getting very
for a quality product.” positive consumer feedback.”
This quality aspect of Fairtrade produce is Currently, 70pc of Robert Roberts’ retail
a core issue, according to Murphy. tea is Fairtrade and is selling so well that all
“Whether you’re talking about Fairtrade of its black tea will carry the FAIRTRADE
goods or not, you get what you pay for. We Mark within two years. Most of this tea
could have a pile of tea under the Fairtrade comes from Kenya and Tanzania.
banner that is sourced at the bottom end of Apart from the obvious benefit for the pro-
the market, but actually it is sourced from ducers, Murphy says moving towards Fairtrade
the top end. So, from a quality point of has also given the company a key edge. Photograph of Sri Lankan tea pickers by Silke Kohlschmitt
Everyone deserves
a fair chance
We’re proud to
support Fairtrade
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