Nestlé is to launch a Fairtrade certified coffee, Nescafé Partners Blend.

The freeze-dried instant coffee will go on sale from the middle of this month. It is sourced from five farmer co-operatives in El Salvador and Ethiopia.

“Nestlé’s long term commitment is to develop sustainable agricultural practices in order to help alleviate hardship and poverty among small coffee farmers,” said Alastair Sykes, CEO of Nestlé UK and Ireland.

“This is the first time one of the four major coffee roasters has taken its first step in response to rapidly growing consumer demand for products independently certified by the Fairtrade Mark,” said Harriet Lamb, executive director of the Fairtrade Foundation.