Boquete, Panama has some of the most expensive, and best, coffee in the world. The volcanic soil combined with the elevation and micro climates is the perfect environment for growing coffee. Over the past few years with the increased awareness of a 'good cup of coffee', some of Boquete's growers have realized a little more money in their pockets. With the help of the world market some of the small growers are trying to pass some of the profits on to the workers. The article below by Nicki Lisa Cole, in Conducive Mag, explains how difficult it is to actually make money as a small farmer in the coffee business. Many famers in Panama have sold out to developers, and some of the small estates are barely breaking even. However, that hasn't stopped Price Peterson, of Hacienda la Esmeralda, the winner of the most expensive coffee bought at auction, from putting people first:
"First comes sustainability of people. Our business practices must always be such that our products will readily sell at a level which will keep everyone (owners and workers) fed, clothed, educated and in good health. Beyond that we strive that everyone has a degree of security in their lives to permit a home and a pension at retirement. When this degree of sustainability of people is defined, the rest tends to follow as day the night."
He is not the only coffee estate owner to put best prectices first. Rich Lipner, of Finca Dos Jefes and Ricardo Koyner, of Kotowa coffee, provide above average living quarters for their workers, and Ricardo includes health care and education.
It also helps the smaller farmers, when you visit Boquete and tour the smaller estates, to buy coffee at the source. Thereby enabling the farmers to actually sell their coffee locally, and realize the end of market price; which is much greater than selling green and having the middle men along the way take the largest chunck of change.
To better understand the coffee market read Nicki's article:
What’s Behind Your Cup of Joe?
By Nicki Lisa Cole
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2010 CONDUCIVE
According to the International Coffee Organization (ICO), the U.S. is the world’s leading importer of coffee, bringing in over 3 billion pounds of “green,” or pre-roasted coffee in 2009, which accounts for about a quarter of global imports. An annual telephone survey conducted by the National Coffee Association found that 126 million adults drink coffee everyday, each consuming an average of 3.3 cups daily. If you do the math, that translates to over 415 million cups of coffee drunk everyday. Where does all this coffee come from? According to ICO statistics for 2009, Brazil is the largest exporter, accounting for nearly a quarter of all exports. The second largest exporter is Vietnam, constituting 19.4%, followed by Colombia (9%) and Indonesia (8.7%). Peru, Honduras, India, and Guatemala each account for about 4%, Uganda and Ethiopia produce 3.5% each, while Mexico accounts for about 2.4%. Nicaragua and Costa Rica each contribute 1.5%, while Papua New Guinea, El Salvador, Kenya and Ecuador register at just under 1% each.
Despite the fact that most of us do not think about coffee in terms of numbers, these numbers are worthy of attention, as they signal the global economic significance of the coffee market. In more ways than one, coffee fuels the global economy and the system of capitalist production and consumption. In fact, it has been an important piece of this system since capitalism was introduced to the global stage. This history of coffee is one filled with mistreatment of both people and land. It took hold as a major global cash crop thanks to slave labor during the colonial era, and evidence of this legacy is visible today in very low wages and poverty level living conditions of coffee farmers and pickers around the world. Consumer awareness and industry concern led to the creation of ethical sourcing models like Fair Trade during the late 1990s, and today consumers have a variety of options if they wish to make an ethical coffee purchase. In my next article, the differences between certifications and sourcing models will be explored, and the truth behind these labels revealed. But first, let’s consider the history of the coffee we drink today.
For the complete article: http://www.conducivemag.com/2010/08/what%E2%80%99s-behind-your-cup-of-joe/
To schedule a tour with one of the small farmers in Boquete: http://www.boquetemountainsafaritours.com/coffeetours.html
A portion of the tour fee goes directly to the farmer.
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Posted by: Lawrence | August 29, 2010 at 03:34 AM