Goods sold under the Fairtrade banner are defying the economic gloom with sales up for a fifth consecutive year.
Last year over $10 million worth of Fairtrade products were sold around the country - 45 times as much as $260,000 worth in 2004.
And while Trade Aid shops have been selling fair trade products for over 36 years, it's the arrival of the goods in large retailers like supermarkets and some petrol stations that's turning fair trade into big business.
"Main-streaming is the big thing, I think to try and pull away from being such a niche market and put it out there in the real commercial world with mainstream supermarket grocery aisles opens it up and exposes it to every consumer that comes in the door.
The Fairtrade system was introduced in the late eighties when coffee prices dropped to around $1.50/kg - less than half of what it cost to grow the beans.
"Fairtrade guarantees at least a minimum price to the producers, so it covers their costs of sustainable production," explains Stephen Knapp. "But it's also a premium that's used for local community development projects and environmental social projects."
Mr Knapp says the scheme now supports 7.5 million in 59 developing countries.
It is also a benefit that comes at little, or no cost to the consumer.
In New Zealand the number of Fairtrade labelled products for sale has grown to 40, although it is still a far cry from the 140 products available in Europe.
"We're pleased with the take up from the supermarkets, but there's always more and there's always more product that can be out there," Mr Knapp says.
But for many retailers, that's harder than it sounds.
"One of the biggest things is actually getting hold of the product," says Mr McGregor. "A lot of these places are developing nations where they is effectively cartels with supply. So you've got to break down those barriers and you've got to get through all of that to try and get a decent supply coming into the mainstream."
The Fairtrade movement is confident those issues will be ironed out and is forecasting this year's sales will grow between 60 and 80 percent.
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