Cadbury has produced a Fairtrade version of its iconic Dairy Milk bar.

Leading chocolate manufacturer, Cadbury has announced that its new Fairtrade Dairy Milk bars are in production and will be available from nearly 30,000 retailers to buy in just a few days.

Cadbury announced in March that it was committed to producing the famous chocolate bar with Fairtrade certification by the end of Summer 2009. At the time, Cadbury CEO, Todd Stitzer said that it was his visit to Ghana to the cocoa farmers and surrounding communities, which made the company realise how vital a commitment to Fairtrade would be to their livelihoods.

The chocolatier formed the Cadbury Cocoa Partnership (CCP) in 2008, of which the primary aim is to secure the economic, social and environmental sustainability of around a million cocoa farmers and their communities in Ghana, India, Indonesia and Caribbean. As part of the CCP, Cadbury’s is investing £45 million over the next 10 years.

“Having announced our intention to achieve Fairtrade certification for our flagship brand, Cadbury Dairy Milk, only a few months ago, it is exciting that these bars are now rolling off the production lines in Bournville.

“This creates a tipping point for Fairtrade with Fairtrade Cadbury Dairy Milk bars available to all, with the same great taste at no extra cost,” commented Trevor Bond, MD of Cadbury Britain and Ireland.

Harriet Lamb, Executive Director of the Fairtrade Foundation, said: “This is a real milestone for Fairtrade and for cocoa growers in Ghana. Cadbury Dairy Milk will create a step change in awareness of Fairtrade here in the UK, whilst in Ghana, it could potentially transform the lives and opportunities for thousands of people in cocoa growing communities.”

The Fairtrade Foundation carried out research that discovered the two biggest barriers to increased purchase of these products was a lack of visibility in stores and the perception that they are sold at an inflated price. Cadbury has confirmed that the Fairtrade Dairy Milk bars will be sold at no extra cost, and the brand will help with the issue of poor visibility as it becomes the first mainstream confectionary product to display the Fairtrade logo.