World first as Glasgow-based brewer makes 'game changing' move

The Fairtrade-certified brewing supply chain for climate-resilient fonio grain was established in the space of just six months as a result of work between B-Corp-certified Brewgooder and fonio farming cooperatives in Guinea.

This will ensure that farmers are paid a fairer price for their work and grain while fostering sustainable and equitable economic growth for their nearby communities. 

Alan Mahon, founder at Brewgooder, photographed with Brewgooder Fonio Session IPA at The Social Hub, Glasgow (Image: Supplied)

According to local cooperatives, 67 farmers have signed up, with two-thirds of those joining since Fairtrade certification.

Depending on the growth and success of the supply chain, it’s hoped hundreds of farmers and the communities that surround them could benefit in future. 

Maimouna Diallo, coordinator in the Guinea farming cooperative described the collaboration as “a testament to the power of socially responsible business practices in creating lasting impact and fostering equitable growth”.  

Pictured: The pioneering supply chain was set up in just six months (Image: Supplied)

She continued: “We look forward to a fruitful partnership that benefits not only our farmers but also the wider community and the environment.

“A true circular exchange between Africa and the UK – a win-win situation.” 

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In what has been described as a “progressive move”, the new supply chain, named ‘Open Grain’, will be accessible to any UK brewer or business looking to utilise fonio, allowing them to further maximise the positive impact made in Guinea and potentially beyond.

Pictured: Fonio is a 'supergrain' native to West Africa (Image: Supplied)

The climate-resilient supergrain is native to West Africa, quick to harvest, requires no fertilisers, and uses much less water to grow than barley, meaning it can thrive in less fertile soils prominent in countries in the region. 

Alan Mahon, founder at Brewgooder, said: “Alone we can make a small but meaningful difference, but as an entire industry, even if only adopting Fairtrade fonio in small amounts, we can support farmers in Guinea to make a game-changing impact on these communities while simultaneously bringing quality and desirable products to market.

“Enabling other beer producers to use our supply chain makes that possible. We’re not adopting Fairtrade fonio to give ourselves a USP, but to show what can be achieved when you collaborate with farming communities for a fairer deal.

“There’s a huge appetite for Fairtrade products in the UK, and it's absent in the beer category at present.

“People care about fair and just trade, and if they can achieve it through the products they buy, then they will make that choice.”

(Image: Supplied)

The new supply chain has been introduced in tandem with the launch of the first beer made with Fairtrade-certified fonio grain, Brewgooder Fonio Session IPA, which has been backed by three major UK supermarkets.

As well as securing placements in Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, and the Co-op, the IPA is also available on British Airways flights.

Brewgooder predicts the new product will add more than £2 million in retail sales to the UK’s Fairtrade market annually, with the potential to grow significantly beyond that as the category grows.  

LJ Loftus, deputy director of partnerships at the Fairtrade Foundation, said: “Let’s raise a glass to Brewgooder for introducing the world’s first Fairtrade certified fonio grain IPA onto the UK market, using fonio produced by smallholder farmers in Guinea.

“Every sip will not only be delicious but means that farmers are getting a better deal.”