Fair Trade, the Confusing Part
Starbucks v Ethiopia Storm in a coffee cup
Nov 30th 2006 NEW YORK From The Economist print edition
Interesting conflict. By branding Ethiopian coffee, Starbucks contends the Ethiopian government and the elite will realize the benefits and not the farmers. Yet, loans and grants other than Fair Trade pricing may not benefit the farmers either. It is our contention that the farmers who are hurt the most by low world coffee prices are the mountain farmers who cannot take advantage of chemical and genetic enhancements, pesticides and fertilizers, nor can they benefit from open fields and mechanized harvesting. These most disadvantaged farmers, however, remain the sole custodians of the finest high mountain, shade grown coffee. The health benefits of chemical free and the social benefits of fair trade are obvious. This exclusive source of high quality is not.
You can have your cake and eat it too. By buying the better than fair trade priced coffee from hard to reach locations, offered by these small niche market Fair Trade importers, you give social justice and enjoy the cote d oro coffees unobtainable except by blend on the broader market.
It is hard for the big Importers to match the small Fair Trade operations but in a limited way and for market image.
Nov 30th 2006 NEW YORK From The Economist print edition
Interesting conflict. By branding Ethiopian coffee, Starbucks contends the Ethiopian government and the elite will realize the benefits and not the farmers. Yet, loans and grants other than Fair Trade pricing may not benefit the farmers either. It is our contention that the farmers who are hurt the most by low world coffee prices are the mountain farmers who cannot take advantage of chemical and genetic enhancements, pesticides and fertilizers, nor can they benefit from open fields and mechanized harvesting. These most disadvantaged farmers, however, remain the sole custodians of the finest high mountain, shade grown coffee. The health benefits of chemical free and the social benefits of fair trade are obvious. This exclusive source of high quality is not.
You can have your cake and eat it too. By buying the better than fair trade priced coffee from hard to reach locations, offered by these small niche market Fair Trade importers, you give social justice and enjoy the cote d oro coffees unobtainable except by blend on the broader market.
It is hard for the big Importers to match the small Fair Trade operations but in a limited way and for market image.
posted by Clancy Hughes | 4:26 PM
1 Comments:
Thanks for raising this issue. Paying just a little extra for fair trade can mean health care, schools, and a viable living for people with no other means.
Debbie
www.organic-food-and-drink.com
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