Global Exchange : US Plans to Rejoin International Coffee Organization (#)
„But plummeting coffee prices have created a global humanitarian crisis where farmers in poor countries sell their coffee beans for much less than they spend to harvest them, creating increased poverty, hunger, and dislocation in 50 coffee-growing countries. The US government's involvement with the ICO could help strengthen international efforts to alleviate that problem, said Seth Petchers, Coffee Program Coordinator for Oxfam America. As the largest coffee importing nation in the world, representing about a quarter of the world's consumption, the US can push for quality improvement programs, direct market access, and diversification initiatives, which could help increase the price that family farmers receive. "Coffee plays a crucial role in the economic health of communities in poor countries all over the world," Petchers said.“
http://www.globalexchange.org/campaigns/fairtrade/coffee/ 2528.html - Cached
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„Even before the current crisis, illy recognized that to ensure a consistent supply of top quality beans, they needed to work directly with farmers to improve their skills and reward quality by paying a premium price. In 1991, illy began to offer an award in Brazil to growers who produced the best coffee-winners receive a substantial cash prize, plus a premium price for their crop. Additionally, in conjunction with the University of Sao Paulo, illy instituted an educational program that gives farmers the knowledge needed in areas such as agronomy, processing techniques, farm management, resource conservation and more, enabling them to meet illy's rigorous quality standards. In 2002, 1,245 farmers went through this program, which has since been expanded to other coffee growing countries such as Guatemala, India and Colombia.“
http://www.illyusa.com/pr/ crisis_in_ethiopia.htm
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Global Exchange : Difficult Times for Coffee Industry as Demand Falls
„Vieira complains, is like shooting yourself in the foot. Because robusta beans have a harsher taste, consumers are being turned off, coffee farmers say. As a result, demand has fallen further, taking prices down with it. As a result, farmers have less cash to invest in maintaining the quality of their product.“
http://www.globalexchange.org/campaigns/fairtrade/coffee/ 1298.html
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„CRS Fair Trade Notes: Dean's Beans has pioneered a "Fair Trade Audit" system and a business model that shares profits with the farmers who grow your coffee. Dean's Beans also allows customers to create and label their own private Fair Trade, organic coffee blends! Telephone: 978-544-2002, 800-325-3008“
http://www.crsfairtrade.org/coffee_project/ map.htm
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Organic News Winter/Spring 1999
„Nearly all coffee beans are imported from Third World countries, and of the world's production, beans from small farmers make up the vast majority. Yet, most small scale farmers are living in near poverty conditions. Mexico's premier coffee organization, Coordinadora Nacional de Organizaciones Cafetaleras, reports that, although coffee generated $658 million in Mexico last season and is the nation's number one export crop, a small grower's average annual income is only $650 in U.S. dollars.“
http://www.cooperativecoffees.com/about/news/ spr99organicnews.html
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