Coffee

Coffee is grown on farms in tropical regions within the “coffee belt,” including Brazil. Coffee trees produce cherries that contain two beans. After harvesting, the cherries are processed either through wet processing (where the fruit is removed using water and fermentation) or dry processing (where the cherries are dried in the sun). The beans are then dried and prepared as “green coffee,” which is sorted, graded, and packaged for export.

Coffee moves through a complex global supply chain connecting producers in developing countries with consumers in wealthier markets. Farmers grow and harvest the coffee cherries, which are processed into green coffee beans and sold to exporters or cooperatives. The beans are then shipped internationally to importing countries such as Canada, where they are purchased by traders or coffee companies. Roasters process the green beans into roasted coffee, which is then packaged and distributed to retailers such as grocery stores and cafés before reaching consumers.

The power balance in the coffee supply chain is heavily tilted toward multinational buyers and retailers rather than producers. Farmers typically receive only a small share of the final retail price of coffee, often estimated at around 7–10 percent. Meanwhile, companies involved in roasting, branding, and retail capture a much larger share of the profits. Because producers must compete in global markets where prices are largely determined by international commodity markets and powerful buyers, they have limited bargaining power and often face pressure to keep production costs low. This results in things like poor and unregulated working conditions, forced labour, and lower wages.

Improving the balance of power in the coffee supply chain would require stronger labour protections and greater regulation of global trade practices. While voluntary certification programs such as Fair Trade attempt to improve conditions, they often lack strong enforcement mechanisms. More meaningful change could come from binding international labour standards, stronger state regulation in producing countries, and trade policies that ensure producers receive a larger share of the final value of coffee. Greater transparency in supply chains could also help hold corporations accountable for labour conditions.

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