The tables below give information about sales of Fairtrade*-labelled coffee and bananas in 1999 and 2004 in five European countries.

This essay question is from Cambridge IELTS 10 Test 2 Writing Task 1.

Sales of Fairtrade-labelled coffee and bananas (1999 & 2004)

Sample Essay

The tables illustrate the purchases of Fairtrade-labelled coffee and bananas in five European countries in 1999 and 2004.

Overall, while banana sales increased in Switzerland, the UK, and Belgium, they declined in Sweden and Denmark. In contrast, coffee sales rose in all five countries over the same period.

In both years, Switzerland led in banana purchases, with sales rising sharply from €15 million in 1999 to €47 million in 2004. Banana sales in the UK and Belgium also increased, reaching €5.5 million and €4 million respectively, whereas Sweden and Denmark experienced declines, falling to €1 million and €0.9 million.

Regarding coffee, the UK witnessed the most dramatic growth, from €1.5 million in 1999 to €20 million in 2004, surpassing all other countries. Although Switzerland was the largest coffee buyer in 1999 with €3 million, its sales grew moderately to €6 million by 2004. Denmark, Belgium, and Sweden also saw slight increases in coffee purchases, reaching €2 million, €1.7 million, and €1 million respectively.