If you love coffee there is nothing better than smell of freshly roasting beans or just brewed coffee. If those beans can also be organic coffee then it is even better. And if you can have peace of mind that the farmer who grew the organic coffee beans was paid well for his efforts then it makes the coffee taste even better. A popular movement has been promoting the ethical behavior of fair trade in relation to coffee beans and it’s messages are becoming accepted by main stream society.
Fair Trade in some ways goes back to the Dutch protest book of the 1800′s Max Havelaar, commenting on the trading practices in the Dutch East Indies. Today the focus is on making sure the farmer is being paid a good price for his beans and that he actually gets that price rather than it ending up with some middlemen along the way.
Some buyers have even gone so far as to pay part of their purchase in advance instead of waiting for delivery before paying. This is an attempt to keep farmers from needing to get loans between the coffee harvest through till time of payment.
Organic Coffee is a natural synergy for countries such as Peru and Ethiopia. Here there is a tradition of low-tech, small farms, and harsh conditions. The coffee that is produced can’t compete in term of volume with the big coffee growing nations such as Columbia or Brazil. Instead they can concentrate of niche markets who want high quality organic coffee.
Often the organic coffee in these countries is grown in co-operatives so that productive and economic mass can be achieved. Funds coming back from the sale of coffee beans are allowing communities to fund medical centres and schools.
Making Fair Trade Organic Coffee an economic reality for some communities has lead to a decrease in the cultivation of drugs. Where these were once the only viable crop, coffee and good prices are driving farmers away from undesirable outputs.
Good coffee and ethical trading can work together.
