JTS saddened to hear that Traidcraft plc is going into administration

Traidcraft has played a huge part in the UK fair trade market for longer than many of us can remember. They have had a major role in changing the landscape of ethical shopping, pioneering new products and providing a route to market for enterprising producers all around the world.

For JTS, Traidcraft has been a key customer for over a decade. Additionally, they encouraged us on our journey to become a WFTO (World Fair Trade Organization) Guaranteed Supplier ensuring our business is managed in line with the 10 principles of fair trade.

The last few years have been some of the toughest trading conditions ever for fair trade businesses and we had been aware of the challenges at Traidcraft for some time. We had really hoped they would be able to overcome these challenges and were saddened to hear on Friday that they were going into administration.

We are of course concerned for their staff, several of whom have been our key contacts over a number of years, and we want to express our thanks for their custom, support and challenge. We understand the news will also have a big impact on Traidcraft’s supporters and customers. We hope that those who have been loyally supporting producers by buying from Traidcraft over the years (and in many case decades) will continue to buy and sell fair trade in their areas. The process won’t be as simple without Traidcraft around, but it is crucial for the sake of the overseas producers.

JTS will be doing all we can to minimise the impact on the wonderful producer groups that we have direct relationships with. The products that Traidcraft listed that we supplied came from far and wide: Malawi, South Africa, Eswatini, Kenya, India and Sri Lanka. (More details in the notes)

All of these products can be purchased direct from JTS at https://shop.jts.co.uk where we also have a small range of “and friends” products from other fair trade businesses.

As Charlotte Timson, Transform Trade CEO said in her comment on the news, the good work that Traidcraft pioneered cannot and will not be undone. At JTS, we are maintaining our commitment to offering small-scale producers and farmers access to UK markets and our commitment to providing UK consumers the best of fairly traded foods. We trust we can count on your support.

Tracy Mitchell

MD, on behalf of the JTS board and staff team

Notes: Main products supplied by JTS to Traidcraft:

• Mixed Fruit Chutney, Medium Curry Sauce and seasonal gift packs from Eswatini Kitchen (WFTO producer based in the Kingdom of Eswatini)
• Kilombero Rice from KASFA (WFTO producer based in Malawi)
• Gift sets from Turqle Trading (WFTO producer based in South Africa)
• Pasta sauces and jams from Meru Herbs (based in Kenya, this group is currently undergoing the audit process to become a WFTO accredited producer)
• Fairtrade Coconut Milk and curry pastes from Ma’s (Sri Lanka)
• Fairtrade pulses (lentils and chickpeas) from Nature Bio (India)
• Beer Bread from Barrett’s Ridge, in South Africa (this group is at the early stages of WFTO accreditation)