The United States is the largest consumer in the world when it comes to coffee. The Americans consume one-fifth of all the world’s coffee, but not many of them realize that many of the smaller coffee farmers receive prices for their coffee that are less than the production cost. They are forced into a cycle of poverty and debt.

If you buy a coffee product that is Fair Trade Certified you know that the coffee you drink was purchased under fair conditions. An importer must meet international criteria to become Fair Trade Certified. The importer must for example pay a minimum price of $1.26 per pound and provide the coffee farmer with the technical assistance needed to help transitioning to organic farming.

Currently the coffee prices are around $0.60-$0.70 per pound. With market prices as low as this there are a lot of farmers that can’t provide for their families and land anymore. The consumer prices have been at the same level for a long time, so the coffee companies are pocketing the difference.

To make a difference for these people we need to make some changes in the coffee industry. We need all coffee sold to be Fair Trade Certified, because only then can we be sure that the rights of the coffee farmers and all the workers in the coffee industry are guaranteed.

So what can we do as consumers? We can start buying Fair Trade Certified products. The next time it’s time to buy some coffee you can look for Certified organic coffee. You can also buy your Fair Trade organic coffee online at Specialty Coffee Roast.

Remember - If we all make a little difference it will result in a big difference.