The Economics of Coffee
Topic:
In this seminar, we explore the economics of coffee. We will explore how the fair-trade and direct-trade models differ from non-affiliated models in the case of coffee production and exportation.
Readings:
The Art of Processing Coffee: Link to Reading
Black Gold: Link to Reading
Coffee's Economics, Rewritten by Farmers: Link to Reading
De la Gente: Link to Reading
An Economic Valuation of Smallholder Value Chains: Coffee Transactions in Chiapas, Mexico: Link to Reading
Discussion Questions:
How do the fair-trade and direct-trade models differ from non-affiliated models in the case of coffee production/exportation?
Does coffee exportation represent a market failure?
What, if any, obligation (moral or otherwise) do we have as consumers when purchasing coffee? Are policy interventions necessary?
In what way could transitioning to mandatory fair-trade coffee marginalize low-income members of society?
