Coffee

It’s how millions of us start our day, and a companion to countless conversations. An estimated 2 billion cups of coffee are brewed every single day. Worldwide, millions of people depend on coffee for their livelihoods, yet many are unable to earn a reliable living from this beloved and valuable crop.

Koperasi Baithul Qiradh Baburrayyan (KBQB), Indonesia
Koperasi Baithul Qiradh Baburrayyan (KBQB), Indonesia. Jumiran is a member of the cooperative. He owns 1 ha and produces around 4,200 Kg cherry per year

There are an estimated 12.5 million coffee farms today, 95 percent of which are less than five hectares in size, owned by smallholder farmers. In fact, around 8 out of 10 coffee farms are even smaller than 2 hectares -- about the size of three football pitches. Yet smallholder farmers grow 60 percent of the world's coffee.

Fairtrade certifies coffee cooperatives whose members are small-scale farmers precisely because they are the heart of coffee production and of their communities.

Choosing Fairtrade coffee makes a difference

Despite the popularity of their product, coffee farmers face a number of challenges which Fairtrade is working to address.

  • For various reasons, the global price of coffee is highly volatile. Fairtrade aims to give farmers stability in this unpredictable environment by offering a Fairtrade Minimum Price, which protects them from sudden price drops. Organically grown coffee receives an additional price incentive.

  • Coffee farmers also receive a Fairtrade Premium – an extra sum of money paid on top of the selling price that farmers and workers invest in business or community projects of their choice. A set portion of the Fairtrade Premium goes toward improving production or quality.

  • By supporting smallholder farmers to organize themselves into small producer organizations – such as cooperatives and associations – farmers can negotiate better terms of trade and reach wider markets.

Coffee - Key data about Fairtrade Impact

Would you like to learn how many producer organizations are involved in Fairtrade coffee? Or how many workers and farmers you can find per country? Visit our dedicated page with statistics on our Top 7 product dashboard

When you choose Fairtrade coffee, farmers can build a better quality of life for their families and communities. Your purchase also supports them to invest in growing better quality beans and confronting challenges like the effects of climate change. It’s win-win.

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