ALDI SÜD is celebrating 15 years of working with Fairtrade, marking a milestone in its efforts to bring fairer and more sustainable products to its customers.
The discounter first introduced a Fairtrade-certified product back in 2010, starting with coffee. Since then, the range has grown steadily. Today, shoppers can find more than 190 Fairtrade-labelled products on ALDI SÜD shelves throughout the year.
The retailer says the long-running partnership reflects its wider sustainability strategy, which focuses on fair working conditions and stronger, more transparent supply chains.
In 2017, ALDI SÜD made a major step by moving to 100% Fairtrade-certified or equivalent standards for all of its own-brand bananas. It has since expanded that approach to other core categories. Its entire private label ranges of coffee, tea, and products containing cocoa are now certified. Customers can also buy Fairtrade-certified sugar, limes, flowers, and plants.
Chocolate has been another area of focus. ALDI SÜD confirmed that selected products, including cereals, seasonal confectionery, nut spreads, and its premium brand Moser Roth, are made using only Fairtrade-certified cocoa.
Speaking on the anniversary, Maximilian Vogt, Director of Sustainability at ALDI SÜD, said:
“As a major retailer, we carry responsibility for people and the environment across our supply chains. Our collaboration with Fairtrade has been central to our sustainability strategy for many years. The aim is simple: to make sustainable and fair shopping possible for everyone.”
Fairtrade Germany also welcomed the milestone. Carsten Lorenz, Head of Key Account Management Retail, said:
“We would like to thank ALDI SÜD for 15 years of partnership and continued commitment to fair trade. By expanding its Fairtrade product range, ALDI SÜD has played an important role in growing awareness and access to Fairtrade in Germany.”
The anniversary comes at a time when consumer demand for responsibly sourced products is rising. Research from Fairtrade Germany shows strong support among shoppers for products that guarantee fairer wages and safer conditions for farmers and workers in developing countries.
For ALDI SÜD, the cooperation with Fairtrade is part of a broader effort to embed sustainability across its business, from packaging reduction to climate targets. The retailer has made clear it wants to continue growing its Fairtrade offer in the coming years, especially in fresh fruit and cocoa-based categories.
The partnership is also a signal to competitors in the German grocery market, many of whom have been expanding their own Fairtrade and sustainability commitments. Lidl, for example, has also pledged to source 100% of its own-brand bananas and cocoa through recognised sustainability standards. Rewe and Edeka have both expanded Fairtrade product ranges in categories such as coffee and flowers.
By reaching the 15-year mark, ALDI SÜD underlines how mainstream discount retailers are helping push Fairtrade into everyday shopping baskets, moving the label far beyond niche organic stores.
The next step, both ALDI SÜD and Fairtrade agree, is scale. More certified products, more visibility on shelves, and more everyday affordability for consumers. As Vogt noted, the ambition is not just about choice, but about fairness being built into the weekly shop.
