The Manchester-based Co-op Group announced that it will stop “sourcing relationships” wherever possible with 17 countries — including Israel and Russia — where “there are internationally recognised community-wide human rights abuses and violations of international law.”

The Co-op is mutually owned by its roughly 6.2 million members.

The countries are Afghanistan, Belarus, Central African Republic, North Korea, Democratic Republic of Congo, Haiti, Iran, Israel, Libya, Mali, Myanmar, Russia, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria and Yemen.

“This policy has been approved by the Co-op Group Board and coincides with the start of Co-ops Fortnight in the UK,” said the Co-op.

“Over recent years, Co-op members have made clear through surveys, engagement and motions that conflict is one of their biggest concerns and that their Co-op should do all it can to advocate and build peace.

“Responding to this clear call from members, the Co-op Board initiated a review of Co-op’s role in building peace leading to the launch of the ‘Hate Divides Communities, Co-operation Builds Them’ campaign.

“The review also included the development of a sourcing policy aligned with established co-operative values, upholding human rights and the rule of law to promote fair trading and peace.”

Following over a year of detailed analysis, the Co-op said it will stop sourcing products and services from specific countries based on three criteria:

• Firstly, that there is agreement across respected assessments, such as by the UN and others, that there is consistent behaviour which would constitute community-wide human rights abuses or violations of international law
• Secondly, that the actions Co-op can take would make a difference directly or indirectly to those affected and would alleviate suffering
• Thirdly, that the actions Co-op can take would not negatively affect the Co-op’s integrity as a commercially successful co-operative business aligned with co-operative values and principles.

“Co-op’s policy states that, wherever possible, they will not use ingredients in Co-op branded products or sell whole products from 17 countries of concern, which have been identified by the international community,” added the mutual.

“Products and ingredients on the prohibited list are ones which are clearly and solely sourced from the country of origin and include Russian vodka, mangoes from Mali, and carrots from Israel, and will be removed from Co-op shelves and products on a phased approach, starting from June 2025.”

Debbie White, Chair of the Co-op Group Board said: “This policy, which has been developed over the past year as a part of our Hate Divides Communities, Co-operation Builds Them’ campaign, is a clear demonstration of our co-operative values in action, where the voices of our members have been listened to and then acted upon.

“We are committed, where we can, to removing products and ingredients from our shelves which are sourced from those countries where the international consensus demonstrates there is not alignment with what happens in those countries and our co-operative values and principles.

“As a business, we have a long-standing legacy of doing the right thing, supporting Fairtrade and championing ethical sourcing and this policy is a natural progression of this. Our Hate Divides Communities, Co-operation Builds Them campaign has once again positioned our Co-op with those who advocate for and build peace.”

In April, Co-op Group said its 2024 profit before tax rose by £133 million to £161 million “driven by increased operating profits and improved Funeralcare plan investment returns.”

The Co-op said its revenue for the 52 weeks to January 4, 2025, was maintained at £11.3 billion “as we continued to right size the business and reflecting an additional 53rd week in the comparative year.”