Paisley-based Just Trading Scotland (JTS) a Scottish fair trade business is releasing Kilombero rice from Malawi to meet growing consumer demand for ethical foods, by opening up new markets in high end shops as well as larger mainstream retailers.
John Riches, chairman at Just Trading Scotland, said: “Kilombero offers consumers a whole new way of buying and eating rice. We know that Scots want more opportunities to buy ethically sourced, fairly traded premium products.
“By purchasing Kilombero, we can all make a huge difference by helping to unlock the potential of people and communities and tackle inequality in Malawi and elsewhere.
“Many retailers, both large and small, have already expressed interest and we’re confident that we can convert that interest into sales.
The re-branded Kilombero product will be sold in smaller, more convenient 500g and 1kg bags which can stand up on a shelf and are more suitable for high street shops.
Just Trading Scotland has already built up a successful order book by challenging fair trade shops, charities, churches, schools and other groups to sell 90kg of Kilombero rice – enough to enable a Malawian farmer to pay for one year of basic secondary education for one child.
Keith Bohannon, from the Scotland Malawi Partnership said his organization is delighted to support the work of Just Trading Scotland in bringing this fairly traded Malawian rice to Scotland.
“Not only does it taste great but it also provides much needed opportunities for sustainable livelihoods for thousands of small holder formers in Malawi,” said Bohannon.
