Fair Trade Coffee Consumption

I am studying the effects of the consumption that coffee has on us, to see if it is good for our nation since it is the second most valuable traded commodity in the world and also to see if it benefits our health as it is said to do. There are many issues that go into play with how coffee is produced and exported. While researching this topic, I have found many trends. One being, problems with fair trade, whether if it is beneficial to the producers, the south and us, the consumers. Second, it has been predicted that the climate change in the South will cause a major crisis in the production of coffee, interfering with the amount that will be produced. The overall supply will go down; therefore, causing the prices to increase. Lastly, research

The fair trade market is an approach to a more feasible development that helps the farmers improve the production of coffee by providing them with many resources. The Fair Trade certified label helps the consumers in knowing that their coffee is high quality (6).” Economics of Fair Trade” states that the Fair Trade sets a minimum set price for their coffee that covers the price it costs to produce it. It links farmer cooperatives directly to the United States, creating long term contract and livable lifestyle. Farmers are receiving better incomes that enable them to live a better lifestyle. As it benefits the farmers it does hold a major part in the North. By giving the South a fairer price, it benefits the United States because this is done through trade not aid. The United States receives their high quality coffee and in return knowing that their “dollar” is helping them grow the coffee efficiently (Economics of Fair Trade). The Fair Trade Market is vital for the nation in either consuming the coffee or using the finances to make ends

Amy Mayer claims that coffee requires a temperature range of 15 to 23 degrees Celsius. A slightest change in this temperature range will interfere in the proper growth of the coffee beans. Other climatic conditions can negatively affect the production as well such as rainfall, soil composition, and pest and disease infestations. Pests are becoming a huge problem as climate warms. They are eating away the coffee leaves. This is costing the South a lot of money in the loss of crops. It is a major problem because it is putting the supply of high quality coffee at risk a great deal. Over the long term, this could potentially mean that the prices of coffee will rise more than they have. Even though states down south will be able to grow coffee, it will not make up for the loss. There is said to be two ways in dealing with this problem, migration or adaptation. This will cause problems financially to the farmers and to the United States in not importing enough coffee