Poor Farmer

Perhaps the thing that stands out the most in international coffee trade is the obvious injustice towards African, Asian and Latin American rowers. Roman Grynberg Mail & Guardian May 10, 2013 Logistical issues prevent African countries from  deriving greater value from coffee. (AFP) Perhaps the one thing that stands out the most in the international coffee trade is the obvious injustice towards African, Asian and Latin American coffee growers, who get some 7% of the value of roasted coffee sold in supermarkets. The Fairtrade people have complained for years and have made some impact when it comes to farmers' returns for their coffee. An even more glaring issue is the coffee trade of countries such as Germany, which has grown so rapidly over the last decade that it now exports more coffee than all of Africa put together. According to the International Coffee Organisation, in 2011 African countries exported some 10-million bags (60kg each), or about...

By DANICA COTO Associated Press May 16, 2013 SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico May 16, 2013 (AP) - Coffee production in Puerto Rico has hit the lowest level ever in the island's history, leaving farmers and government officials worried about how to revive a once burgeoning industry amid a deep economic crisis. Farmers produced some 80,000 pounds (39,900 kilograms) of coffee during the most recent harvest, which represents only a third of local consumption, Agriculture Secretary Myrna Comas said Thursday. Production in previous years has fluctuated between 105,000 pounds (47,600 kilograms) and 150,000 pounds (68,000 kilograms), according to department statistics. "We need to fortify this industry ... and restore its much-deserved standing," Comas said. "We were once known worldwide for the quality of coffee produced on this island." The U.S. territory has since been forced to import coffee from countries including Mexico and the Dominican Republic to meet local ...