'We’re only as strong as the communities in which we trade, so it makes good sense for us to be a fair partner – paying a fair price to suppliers, supporting local communities and ensuring good working conditions for everyone involved in our supply chains.” - M&S Plan A 2012.
Fairtrade helps small-scale farmers in other countries to invest in their own communities, by guaranteeing them a fair and stable price for their goods. Farmers also receive a Fairtrade Premium for investing in community development projects.
M&S tea and coffee is 100% Fairtrade, meaning that farmers and workers earn fairer pay and follow more sustainable practices. From February 2025, 100% of M&S block chocolate, M&S Belgian and Swiss chocolate and Colin the Caterpillar cakes use Fairtrade cocoa.
Through the M&S partnership with Fairtrade, the Fairtrade Premium earned by farmers has been increased. In February 2025, M&S joined Fairtrade’s Shared Impact programme, directing the Fairtrade Premium for the Choc Marks chocolate range to the cocoa farmers at the Yeyasso cooperative in Côte d’Ivoire. An additional premium on M&S cocoa will ensure the cooperative can invest in projects on farms and in their communities.
“This great initiative… will allow us to make further investments. It will help us be able to offer maternity wards in localities where there are not yet any, increase cash to producers and fight against child labour by facilitating children’s schooling.” - Yeo Moussa, Director General at Yeyasso
Other Fairtrade products at M&S include sugar, bananas, herbal and fruit teas and jams.
