Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Djaya on November 24, 2008 at 11:52pm

I think a lot of people wouldn't mind the extra cost that comes along wit Fairtrade or Rainforest Alliance coffee. The thing is as long as you're transparent about the things you do they wil accept it. Besides it makes them feel good knowing they buy a product which is right in a moral point of view.

The market is everchanging but the way i see it demand for FT or RA will continue to rise because everybody talks about the environment and good working conditions. However i don't think that every coffeebar in the world will make the switch. Many believe that it's just an extra perk in a way and people aren't responsive to it. Here in Belgium people however are very responsive and an increase in FT, RA and Oxfam sales are very noticeable(Mainly due to the infomercials on tv all the time).

For me if I have to look at it from a business point of view I think it's just a great marketing tool, and it'll continue to be. The only remark that comes to mind if you start going the FT RA tour you have to make the switch completely and not just stick with coffee.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Brady on November 25, 2008 at 5:35am

It would be great if all coffee was fairly traded. I personally prefer the newer direct-trade model that CCC and many others are using a bit better than Fair Trade.

As a consumer, I will pay extra for direct-trade because more of that money is going to the grower and the coffee is usually better. Our roaster doesn't currently offer certified Fair Trade, but I know that they source responsibly and that is enough for me. As a retailer, I do pay more and charge more for certified organic.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Jason Dominy on November 25, 2008 at 6:38am

Boy, this should open up a can of worms......

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by John on November 25, 2008 at 6:43pm

To your first question: I would say the customer should absorb the cost. That way the customers who truely want to support FT have the choice to do so, and those that don't want to support it have the choice not to.

To your second question: I, as a customer, would not pay more for fair trade coffee unless it was better coffee.

To your third question: We would only serve fair trade in our shop if it gave us a business advantage, which it probably does. We prefer to donate a percentage of our sales directly to specific causes and charities, than to do so indirectly through FT purchases.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Serena Ellis on September 5, 2009 at 2:21am

yes, the way you describing here about fair trade market socially conscious gifts products if very right . . Fair trade promotes better wages and living conditions for local-level workers.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Bryan Wray on September 5, 2009 at 4:13pm

Kayakman said:

I am not sure that Fair Trade/Rainforest Alliance actually work as they say they do and that the farmer actually sees a difference. I could be wrong about that, but its too hard for me to see the proof.

Another question I have is how does the industry work and who is getting rich off it? as far as I can tell, most independent coffeehouses are not getting rich and I am not sure the small to medium roasters are either. Maybe the large coffee importers, large roasting companies, and large chain stores are seeing high profits. those are the people who should act more responsibly and eat the extra cost.

the other issue i have is with flavor.... just because its fair trade does not mean that its a good quality coffee.

in the end, why should I pay more for a product that doesnt taste as good, that i am not sure is actually helping the little guy, just so the large coffee companies dont lose their high profits?

Dont get me wrong, I want to help the farmer more than most, just want to know that its actually happening and that the end product taste good.

This is pretty close to how I feel, but Brady nailed it. I would love to see more shops and roasters move toward being direct-trade or transparent trade or whatever you want to call it.

A couple of the coffees that we offer at my shop are direct trade, and let me tell you, they get bought probably 8:1 over the Fair Trade options (everything we have is at least Fair Trade).

I agree that in the end it comes down to the cup though. If given the option between a mediocre cup of FT coffee and an awesome cup of non-FT coffee, I'm taking the non-FT.

I think the cost should be passed onto the customer, but it seems like it would be no matter what, wouldn't it? If you are paying attention to your profit margins and COG then you should be adjusting your prices according to your costs all the time. I understand that some shops run with the "Small=$1.75" or whatever, and to a point we do this too, but if we have a coffee that's costing us $1.25 more a pound, you better believe that cost is getting passed onto the customer.

As a customer, I want to source out the higher quality coffees. These coffees are generally more expensive. I know this, expect this, and am okay with this. I would assume that goes for most customers seeking out socially responsible and high quality coffees.

Look at CoE coffees, they are some of the most popular ones around and sometimes they cost $8 a cup!

-bry

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Bryan Wray on September 5, 2009 at 4:15pm

What is the base price for Fair Trade coffee right now, anyway?
Anyone know?

-bry

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Banks Thomas on September 5, 2009 at 7:43pm

I think its 1.27 right now.

Bryan Wray said:

What is the base price for Fair Trade coffee right now, anyway?
Anyone know?

-bry

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Banks Thomas on September 5, 2009 at 7:49pm

I know first hand from working with coops in Peru and Nicaragua that FT does make a difference to the small farmers. Is it a perfect system, hell no, can it be better, yes. I think that direct trade is the future and will be better for the farmers in the long run but the problem is, how do you know that your roaster is really doing what they say?

• ▶ Reply

▶ Reply to Discussion