Introduction

The coffee industry is quite large. The total turnover is estimated at 70 billion dollars and it is still growing. One of the main reasons is China’s discovery of the boost drink. While this country was originally dominated by a genuine ‘tea culture’, it is now gradually switching over to coffee. Coffee is grown on large plantations and by small coffee farmers. The best sold coffee species are called Arabica and Robusta.

Production chain

After picking the coffee by hand, the coffee berries are peeled, washed and dried. Coffee beans are usually taken to the EU by ship where they enter the final process and the coffee acquires its increase in value. The beans are roasted, and in some cases they are grounded before selling.

Problems

In the coffee sector, half of all coffee pickers do not manage to earn minimum wage. Women are often paid less than men. Child labour is also an issue in the sector. One study estimates that in Kenya between 50 and 60 percent of the work force on coffee plantations is done by children In Brazil, children from lower income families are withdrawn from school and employed in coffee farms. Coffee production can also have negative effects on the environment. In Vietnam there are reports of soil erosion and water shortage because of water extracted from rivers to irrigate coffee plantations. Water pollution is caused by discharges from coffee processing plants or excessive use of nitrogen fertilizers. The intensive use of pesticide within the coffee sector employs chemicals that present serious health threats. Under-regulated pesticides use threatens farmers and other rural residents with exposure to toxic substances in the work place.

Priority issues

In the coffee sector, Fairfood International has identified the following priority issues:

Priority issues	Production stage
Insufficient income and income insecurity	Production
Lack of access to financial services	Production
Insufficient market-related infrastructure	Processing
Harmful Agricultural or Aquafarming Practices	Production
Child Labour	Production

*Brand Owners are required to cover a minimum number of three out of five of the priority issues.

Solutions

The guide below shows certification schemes whose standards indicate a match with some or all of Fairfood's priority issues for this sector. To learn more about any of the schemes, click on their logo.

Naturland	Global Gap	EU Organic Labels	Fairtrade	Rainforest Alliance	UTZ Certified	ProTerra Certified
Production	Production	Production	Entire chain	Production	Production	Entire chain

Did you know...

The words 'coffee' and 'café' are derived from the Arabic word 'qahwa', meaning something like ‘strength’ or ‘power’

Most important export countries

Brazil
Vietnam
Colombia
Germany
Indonesia

Most important production countries

Brazil
Vietnam
Colombia
Indonesia
Mexico