The Co-op Group has confirmed it will cease sourcing goods from Israel and 15 other countries, following a decisive vote by its members and a strategic review of its ethical sourcing practices.
The policy, outlined this week, follows a May AGM vote in which 73% of members backed a resolution to end trade with Israel. Other countries covered by the ban include Russia, Syria, Belarus, Afghanistan, Myanmar, and Sudan.
“The voices of our members have been listened to and then acted upon,” said Debbie White, chair of the Co-op Group board.
“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 that.”
While the Co-op hasn’t specified a detailed timeline, the shift is already under way. Israeli-grown carrots and other produce will soon disappear from its shelves, with further changes rolling out in the coming weeks. The group emphasised that the decision reflects its commitment to peace, justice, and member-driven governance.
The impact on shoppers is expected to be minimal. With the majority of its sourcing rooted in the UK and Western Europe, the Co-op does not anticipate significant disruption to its product range.
The move marks a bold chapter in ethical sourcing within British retail – and could prompt others to clarify their own positions on goods from geopolitically sensitive regions.
