About Cafedirect
Cafédirect is the UK's first and largest Fairtrade hot drinks company, founded in 1991 by a coalition of ethical pioneers including Oxfam, Traidcraft, Equal Exchange, and Twin Trading. The brand was established as a direct response to the 1989 global collapse in coffee prices, becoming the first coffee brand to carry the Fairtrade certification mark. Today, Cafédirect is recognised as the highest-selling Fairtrade coffee brand in the UK. All coffee is 100% Fairtrade International certified, with 85% also certified organic. The company operates a unique ownership model where over half of the coffee farmers own shares in the business, with two farmer representatives serving on the eight-person board—ensuring grower voices influence company decisions. In 2023, Cafédirect acquired Grumpy Mule, gaining a large roasting facility in Yorkshire and expanding its premium coffee portfolio. The business invests 50% of profits into Producers Direct (on top of Fairtrade premiums), with £1.2 million invested in growers and communities in 2024 alone—described as unmatched in the industry. Three-quarters of coffee is directly traded for maximum farmer benefit. The range includes signature blends like Machu Picchu (Peruvian single-origin), plus roast and ground coffees, instant coffee, and tea. Available at all major UK supermarkets including Tesco, Cafédirect earned Ethical Consumer's Best Buy rating as the only highly-rated brand readily available in mainstream retail.