Polish consumers and businesses can now support Fairtrade farmers through their purchasing choices, as the organization is officially established the Eastern European country. 

Fairtrade Poland joins 28 other Fairtrade organizations across that world, after the launch at the country's largest organic event, Natura Food Fair.

"We’re really excited about the possibilities offered by officially joining the Fairtrade system," Fairtrade Poland management board chair Andrzej Żwawa said.

"The launch during the Natura Food Fair demonstrates our strong ties to the organic movement, and to the pioneering organic businesses who were the first to introduce Fairtrade products to the Polish market."

The largest of the new European Union member states, Poland has a growing economy and a rising interest in ethical consumerism.

Fairtrade products are already on sale in many Polish stores. Coffee is the most popular Fairtrade product, accounting for more than 70% of all sales.

PKN Orlen, a national gas station chain, now sells Fairtrade coffee in more than 1,400 of its Stop Cafe outlets, making it the biggest driver of Poland’s Fairtrade sales to date.

The Fairtrade Poland team has ambitions to expand the product range further, including introducing Fairtrade bananas next year.

"We are building our capacities, investing in people who can help build the market for Fairtrade products in Poland", Żwawa said.

"At the same time we need to educate Polish consumers so that they know what Fairtrade is and the difference it makes to farmers and workers in the Global South – an important step in a country where awareness of ethical labels is still quite low."

The journey to setting up Fairtrade Poland began in 2009 when several Polish non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and small businesses formed an informal coalition working for ethical trade. The coalition registered as a non-profit foundation in 2013 and has now become Fairtrade Poland.

The organization is also active in advocacy, awareness-raising and education work, via for example the Fair Trade Schools campaign.

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