Direct Trade in Coffee
Direct trade in coffee is when a roaster buys coffee straight from a producer. It establishes a direct channel of trade between two parties and nurtures the relationship between producers and roasters.
Organic vs. Fair Trade Coffee
The basis for fair trade is setting a minimum price for coffee, ensuring small farmers remain in business. Farmers benefit significantly when trading directly, especially if their coffee is of high quality. Intelligentsia guarantees farmers at least 25% more than the Fair Trade price. Exporters face more losses than profits in fair trade systems. While there are concerns about fair trade hindering industry advancement, it has led to the production of better coffee for consumers.
Ethical Coffee Practices and Sustainability
Buying ethically sourced coffee promotes sustainability. Fair Trade coffee guarantees fair wages and safe working conditions for coffee farmers and workers. However, Fairtrade or direct trade coffee is not the only sustainable option. Understanding the differences between ‘ethical’ and Fairtrade coffee, and the impact of dual-certified coffee, helps support a more sustainable coffee industry.