FAIRTRADE giant Traidcraft has reported a mixed Christmas picture, recording its highest number of festive orders, although it said customers are spending less.

The Gateshead-based organisation said the volume of mail order sales increased by 10% after it pulled in almost 18,000 new customers over the autumn.

During the busiest period, Traidcraft sent out 1,400 parcels a day from its depot, resulting in a record-breaking November for the organisation, which was set up 32 years ago.

Business director Mags Vaughan said: “More people have bought from us this autumn than ever before – but they’ve spent less.

“That’s an inevitable consequence of the current economic situation. But people still care, and they’re well aware that however bad the situation may be here, it is always the poor who are hit hardest by recession.”

Traidcraft, which was set up in 1979 to help people in developing countries to trade their way out of poverty, is structured as a trading company and a development charity that work together.

It runs training programmes around the world and campaigns on trade justice on the global stage. Its Christmas appeal focused on helping farmers in Kenya to take practical steps such as training in beekeeping, fruit growing, rabbit rearing and water harvesting.