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Sunday, October 11, 2009

Fairtrade Certified Coffee Market Set to Increase by 18% in the UK and Ireland

Starbucks Serves up its first Fairtrade Lattes and Cappuccinos across the UK and Ireland - Tens of Thousands of Coffee Farmers to Benefit

Starbucks stores in the UK and Ireland (NASDAQ: SBUX) today began serving 100% Fairtrade Certified and Starbucks(TM) Shared Planet(TM) verified coffee in all of their espresso-based beverages. Every one of the 2 million visitors per week can walk away with a Fairtrade Certified Cappuccino, Latte or Mocha and help support small-scale farmers and their communities in developing countries around the world.


This move is expected to increase the amount of Fairtrade Certified coffee sold in the UK and Ireland by 18% this year. Moreover, Starbucks commitment to continuing a long-term relationship with Fairtrade and small-scale coffee growers is projected to generate a Fairtrade premium of more than £350,000 from sales in the UK and Ireland alone in the coming year, for farmers to invest in community projects.

Harriet Lamb, Executive Director of the Fairtrade Foundation UK, said, "Starbucks is really setting the pace for the coffee industry by using its global size for good. This move will expand the reach of Fairtrade and deepen its impact on tens of thousands of farmers who are at the very heart of the Fairtrade system. Farmers need Fairtrade now more than ever, and even though these are difficult economic times, people across the country are staying loyal to their ethical values and to Fairtrade. From today they can enjoy Fairtrade values over their favourite Starbucks coffee."