The global co-operative sector

There are more than 1 billion members of co-operatives worldwide, which between them employ over 100 million people – that's 20% more than multinational enterprises.

Co-operative businesses across the world represent over 1 billion people and have a turnover of $1.1 trillion dollars; securing the livelihood of three billion people - that’s half the world’s population.

Co-operatives and Fairtrade

Co-operatives account for all of Fairtrade good produced. All in all, 887,000 small holders in developing countries are able to get a fair wage through Fairtrade co-operatives.

The United Nations has designated 2012 the International Year of Co-operatives. With a theme of 'co-operative enterprises build a better world' it will bring co-operatives across the globe together to campaign for co-operation.

Global food co-operatives 

With globalisation now a major part of the way businesses operate, co-operatives in the sector are ideally placed to to benefit from this opportunity to widen the reach and appeal of their products. 

• Pamesan cheese: is an Italian brand registered and held by a consortium. Roughly 90% of the 420 dairy farmers are co-operatives
• 80% of Spanish olive oil is produced by co-operatives 

For more statistics on the global co-operative food sector, read the Co-operating in food report 

The Global300 report

The Global300 Report is published on a biannual basis and brings together information about the 300 largest co-operative organisations around the world, in order to demonstrate the movement’s scale, breadth and reach.

The latest report states that the world's largest co-operative enterprises, have collective revenues of USD 1.6 trillion, which are comparable to the GDP of the world’s ninth largest economy - Spain. Read the Global 300 report. 

You can read some surprising facts about co-operatives here.