In 2004, the global fair trade market was worth around US$1.2 billion, including ATO and branded sales. Because of increased consumer demand for ethically produced goods and the growth of fair trade networks worldwide, this sector, despite its small size, is developing at a 30% annual rate. The rise of fair trade is part of a global trend toward more environmentally friendly and ethical purchasing.
Across key markets in the global North, there has been a remarkable increase in purchases of ethical and environmentally friendly items. Growing evidence shows that consuming is a critical place for the construction of individual and community identities, as well as political activism. Researching national and international food supply systems requires an understanding of the political economy of consumption. This approach challenges the historical production orientation in geography and other social science domains.
Concerns about the environment and food safety have eroded consumer confidence in traditional agro-industrial methods of production and production processes, making the political aspect of consumer ideas and actions especially apparent in the agro-food industry.
The Cost of Energy for Individual Consumers
Even though there is a global market for many of the energy minerals, the tax and allocation strategies of national governments produce vastly varying costs for end consumers in various nations.
Overall, the United States charges end-users less for energy products than other countries, and all countries price consumer goods more than industrial goods in general.
