Seven in 10 Dutch households now buy fair trade products, compared with just 24% 10 years ago, according to new research by retail trade institute GFK.

This means 5.3 million households are now buying fair trade products every year. In particular, fair trade seasonal chocolate items (up 67%) and rice (up 30%) are growing in popularity.

The rise in fair trade sales led to a €7.8bn bonus for local farmers coops and growers last year, an increase of 13% on 2015, GFK said.

Next week is official Fair Trade Challenge, when 20 countries and the Max Havelaar foundation work together to boost the sale of fair trade food to a new record.