Coffee

Coffee production starts from the cultivation of Coffea Arabica, which is a plant that produces coffee cherries and inside are the coffee beans. When the cherries become ripe,they are then harvested and the beans are extracted from the cherries and processed through various methods to prepare for export.

After the production and cultivation of coffee, the coffee beans are dried and sorted as a preparation for export. Next, they are shipped to the ports of the importing country where they will go through the customs process, which, varies in every country in accordance to their trade policies. In countries like Canada, they are roasted within the country and then packaged and ready for distribution to the local markets. The consumers then choose between the available coffee variants available which are typically influenced by pricing,quality and sustainability, depending on the preference of the consumer.

When we take a closer look at the conditions of coffee production, we see that many small-scale farmers face complex challenges. Despite its tremendous global value, the coffee industry often fails to provide fair income and support to those at the grassroots level. While initiatives like Fair Trade Certified Coffee aim to promote ethical practices, they sometimes fall short, mainly benefiting mid to large-scale farms.

To improve the balance in the system the need for more inclusive and equitable approaches that consider the livelihoods of all coffee producers are recommended. Emphasis on combining small scale farms to balance out the income inequality within the producer countries , in comparison to the mid to large scaled farms.

Government of Canada, C. B. S. A. (2021). Guide to importing commercial goods into Canada: Step 1. preparing to import. Guide to importing commercial goods into Canada: Step 1. Preparing to import. https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/import/guide-eng.html