Describes the instability of coffee farming work, the challenges that coffee farmers and workers face, and what consumers can to do help provide stability for coffee farmers.
The Challenge of Coffee Farming: Unpredictable Work, Low Wages and an Uncertain Future
It's a beautiful day, and you're sitting on your porch enjoying a cup of coffee. You take a sip and think to yourself, "I love coffee." But do you know the story behind your coffee? Most coffee beans come from countries where the work is unpredictable and the wages are low. In addition, there is no guarantee that coffee farming will be around for future generations. So what can we do to help stabilize this industry? Keep reading to find out!
Coffee is one of the most popular beverages in the world, with over 2 billion cups consumed every day. But what many coffee drinkers don't realize is that coffee farming is a very unstable profession. The coffee industry employs around 20 million people worldwide, yet coffee farmers and workers often live in poverty. In fact, 70% of coffee farmers earn less than $2 per day.
One of the biggest challenges coffee farmers face is unpredictable weather. A coffee plant can only be harvested once a year, and a bad harvest can mean no income for an entire year. In addition, coffee prices are volatile and have been known to fluctuate by as much as 30% in a single year. This makes it very difficult for coffee farmers to plan for their future.
What can coffee drinkers do to help coffee farmers? One way is to buy coffee that is certified as fair trade. This means that the coffee was grown under certain conditions that guarantee a minimum price for the farmer. Another way to help is to buy coffee from direct trade relationships. This coffee is often more expensive, but the farmer receives a higher percentage of the sale, which can make a big difference. Coffees like our Peru Single Origin are Fair Trade products.
Even if you can't afford to buy fair trade or direct trade coffee, there are still ways to support coffee farmers. Research coffee companies to see if they have programs in place to help coffee farmers, and spread the word to your friends and family about the challenges coffee farmers face. Read about everything The Great Coffee Project does to support coffee farmers here! Every little bit helps!
Thank you for taking the time to learn about the coffee industry. By understanding the challenges coffee farmers face, we can all do our part to help them achieve a more stable future.
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