LibGuides: Grade 8 I&amp;S Fair Trade: Fair Trade Products: Coffee

Coffee

Brief History of Coffee by Don Pierson
Coffee is the second most traded commodity in the world. It accounts for annualexports in the region of the 15 billion dollars, according to the International CoffeeOrganization (ICO). It has radically shaped the politics, history, economy anddemographics of producing and consuming countries throughout history. Cities haveflourished thanks to its trade, it helped to develop infrastructures, technology andcreated jobs. However, coffee has also been the reason behind the forced relocation of millions of slaves from Africa to the Americas, and sustained cruel dictatorships inCentral America, since it was crucial to maintain USA hegemony and control over the communist threat in Latin-America.

Fairtrade Standard for Coffee The Fairtrade Standard for Coffee covers the requirements, which are specific to coffee producers and traders. Fairtrade coffee producers must comply with both the Fairtrade Standard for Small Producer Organizations and the Fairtrade Standard for Coffee. For producers this standard complements, and should be read together with, the Fairtrade Standard for Small Producer Organizations. Fairtrade coffee traders must comply with both the Fairtrade Trader Standard and Fairtrade Standard for Coffee. For traders this standard complements, and should be read together with, the Fairtrade Trader Standard.
Fairtrade and Coffee Around 125 million people worldwide depend on coffee for their livelihoods. This briefing offers an overview of the sector, explores why Fairtrade is needed and what it can achieve. We hope it will provide a valuable resource for all those involved with, or interested in, Fairtrade, whether from a commercial, campaigning or academic perspective.