Poor Farmer

Results from Rainforest Alliance Cupping for Quality Events Announced at SCAA Conference Rainforest Alliance May 7, 2007 The Rainforest Alliance has announced the results of two recent Cupping for Quality events, where a panel of independent coffee experts evaluated coffee from nearly 100 Rainforest Alliance Certified farms in 11 countries at the headquarters of the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA) in Long Beach, California. Top scorers from the cupping events, which took place last month and last December, included farms from Panama, El Salvador, Guatemala, Colombia, Nicaragua and Mexico. With all countries represented receiving an average score of more than 80, which is the threshold to receive specialty status, the results of the cupping events show that sustainable farming practices produce high-quality coffee. “When farmers are meeting a set of holistic standards covering soil and water conservation and good worker treatment, those responsible prac...

By Catherine Riungu Special Correspondent Nation Media , The East African May 7, 2007 Burundi’s coffee sector is expected to gain from an expanded export market and international exposure following the entry of giant US coffee buyer, Starbucks, into thet market. Starbucks recently said it will work with Burundi coffee farmers to develop and expand the sector. Said to be the world’s largest coffee retailer, the company is already partnering with coffee farmers in the region in Tanzania, Ethiopia, Rwanda, and Kenya. Economists believe coffee, Burundi’s largest export revenue earner, has the potential to spur the country’s economic growth. The Burundi government is currently facing the difficult task of reviving a shattered economy and building a sense of national unity after a bloody 12-year civil war. The country’s coffee market is currently regulated by the Coffee Board of Burundi (OCIBU). The board strives to co-ordinate the coffee sector, as well as to define and promote the commodit...

Domestic Factors, Constraints, and Unique Opportunities A series that assesses Ethiopia’s coffee sector to understand the root causes of its problems and to point out remedial solutions. This series discusses the scholarly paper, “Ethiopia’s Coffee Sector: A Bitter or Better Future ?” by Nicolas Petit . In Part III , we’ve discussed the characteristic features of the coffee sector and the significance of coffee to the national economy. The current part discusses the domestic coffee market reforms Ethiopia has undergone at the backdrop of the coffee crisis and their impacts. Also, constraints and prospects will be discussed in detail. ----------------------- Ethiopia is one of the countries adversely affected by the coffee crisis. In fact, Petit notes, “Exports earnings have fallen dramatically and the price shocks absorbed by coffee producers in Ethiopia have been enormous.” According to a UNDP estimate referenced in the study, the loss of income in 2003 amounted to about US$200 per h...

Specialty Coffee Pioneers Join Forces Ethiopia's Network of Licensed Distributors Grows. May 03, 2007 News from: Light Years IP (CSRwire) Washington DC- May 2, 2007 -Ethiopia's specialty coffee sector celebrated this week as Dean’s Beans Organic Coffee Company, a renowned and high profile fair trade and farmer-friendly coffee roaster and distributor, joined the Ethiopian new network of licensed distributors. "Dean's Beans is a company that takes a lead on support and consideration for its developing world coffee suppliers and coffee farmers. We know they already have demonstrated their commitment to Ethiopian coffee farmers and their communities. The goal of our initiative is to raise awareness in Ethiopia of how special and unique their coffees are and to bring more sustainable economic benefits to farmers from their sale. We are very pleased to have Dean Cycon and his team join forces in our network at this early and formative stage," commented Getachew Mengis...

The Cost of “Principle” Starbucks said today that it agrees in principle to sign the licensing agreement that Ethiopia has been asking the company to sign on since March 18, 2005. This statement comes at a cost of 1076 precious days, transgression, millions of dollars, and tainted brands for Starbucks. The cost to the thousands of people who worked on this issue all over the globe is beyond price. It would be interesting to see what else it will take for Starbucks to end this ordeal. The countdown clock at the bottom left corner of this page is set to count from the date of the press release to the date the company will be signing the licensing agreement as promised. --------- At the end of the two days long meeting , Ethiopia and Starbucks agreed “in principle to sign a licensing, distribution and marketing agreement that recognizes the importance and integrity of Ethiopia’s specialty coffee names.” Read the press release here . LYIP calls this development a “great progress” whereas...

Talks are underway between Ethiopian representatives and Starbucks. No details are released but Getachew Mengistie, Director, Ethiopia Intellectual Property Office (EIPO) and other unnamed representatives are meeting with Starbucks executives for a second day. The meeting began on May 1, 2007 and continued today, for a second day, here in Seattle. Reportedly, the government representatives said they hold high hopes to reach an “agreement” with Starbucks but it is not clear as to what exactly their expectations are. Early this year, Starbucks and the Ethiopian government issued a joint statement declaring that they had reached agreement. Three months later, they are still holding a closed-door meeting and hope to reach an agreement. On the other hand, the second Ethiopian Coffee Trademark Stakeholders’ meeting will be held on May 3, 2007 at the SCAA annual conference and exhibition venue. The outcome of the meeting between Starbucks and Getachew’s team may not be detrimental to the sta...

For results, click here --- WHO’S SERVING YOU THAT DAILY CUP OF JOE? SURVEY REVEALS AMERICANS DIFFER WIDELY ON THE ANSWER: Barista, Barrister, Bartender, Burrito Lover, Among the Responses KRUPSUSA Press Release MEDFORD, MA, April 30, 2007– Few can argue that the American coffee culture is more sophisticated than ever. From Macchiatos and Lattes, to a Café Mocha or Espresso con Panna, espresso drinks have become commonplace. That said, the robust vocabulary associated with this high-energy movement might not yet have caught up with the trend. A recent online survey conducted by Krups, the coffee experts and sponsors of the upcoming 2007 United States Barista Championship, revealed some interesting results. A national sample of 2,000 Americans* were asked, “What is a Barista?” Out of the five possible responses they were provided, approximately 1/3 of the coffee crazed Americans did indeed know that it is a barista who prepares and serves that cup of joe every morning. As for the rest...